Middleweight boxer Ben Muziyo ended Zambia seven-year medal drought in the ring at the All-Africa Games.
Muziyo, who was the last boxer standing from team Zambia in Congo-Brazzaville, lost to Seyl Ntsengue of Cameroon in the semifinals to pick up a Bronze.
He becomes the first Zambian since welterweight Hastings Bwalya won Silver at the 2007 tournament in Algeria.
This is Muziyo’s second medal after picking up a Bronze medal at last years Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Winston Kalengo scored a brace to guide the leaders and defending champions Zesco United to a 3-1 home win over last placed National Assembly at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday.
The win sees Zesco maintain a seven point lead at the top of the FAZ Super Division table with just six games left before the 2015 title is decided.
Jackson Mwanza put Zesco ahead in the third minute before Kalengo scored twice in a space of three minutes.
Kalengo hit the back of the net in the 15th minute before converting a penalty in the 19th minute.
He takes his tally to 13 league goals this season to stay in command of the 2015 top scorers chart.
Assembly consolation goal came in the 62nd minute when Aaron Silwimba converted a penalty after Zesco defender Dauti Musekwa fouled Evans Mwanza.
Zesco have 55 points from 23 matches with a game in hand while Power Dynamos are second on 47 points after drawing 1-1 at home with Konkola Blades in Kitwe.
Meanwhile, Assembly remain rooted at the foot of the table with 17 points.
Power Dynamos on Saturday needed a 90th minute equaliser to force a 1-1 draw at home against Konkola Blades at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
A not so impressive Power side needed a later header from defender Derrick Mwansa to deny Konkola victory in this round 24 of the FAZ Super Division.
Mwansa cancelled Happy Kaunda’s 57th minute header that game Konkola a lead after a goalless first half.
Tenant Chilumba’s Kitwe side missed some chances in a spark-less first half.
Power began with a bang but were let down by poor finishing. Julius Siltumbeko saw his 8th minute robust strike from inside the box miss the target by few inches.
Experienced forward Luka Lungu and defender Govenda Simwala were the other culprits in Power squad to miss chances.
Meanwhile, this win moves Power into second place with 47 points from 24 matches.
Power are in second place for at least 24 hours before third placed Zanaco who sits on 46 points hosts Nkana in Lusaka.
But relegation-threatened Konkola remain fourth from the bottom.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 24
12/09/2015
Woodlands Stadium
Green Buffaloes 2-Nakambala Leopards 1
Napsa Stars -0-Nchanga Rangers 0
Zesco United 3-National Assembly 1
Power Dynamos 1-Konkola Blades 1
Forest Rangers 0-Red Arrows 0
Green Eagles 1- Nkwazi 2
13/09/2015
Sunset Stadium
13h00:Lusaka Dynamos-Mufulira Wanderers
15h00:Zanaco-Nkana
[standings league_id=1 template=extend logo=false]
MMD president Nevers Mumba has been advised to be honest and truthful as conducts his politics.
The opposition ZDDM has observed that as a leader of the once ruling party Dr. Mumba is not expected to engage in cheap tribal politics.
ZDDM president Edwin Sakala says his party is concerned by reports suggesting that Dr. Mumba has allegedly accused politicians from Eastern province of practicing what he has termed as ‘Wako ni Wako’ type of politics.
Mr. Sakala thinks that no one should be blamed for what happened to the MMD during the January 20th presidential election where some MMD leaders who saw the danger that Zambia was facing decided to support President Edgar Lungu who was the ruling PF presidential candidate.
In a statement to Qfm News Mr. Sakala has asked Dr. Mumba to acknowledge the fact that most people knew then that he had no capacity to win against what he says were the forces of darkness that were still fighting President Lungu at that time.
Mr. Sakala is however of the view that that Dr. Mumba still has a chance if he can only open his eyes to see what is happening as opposed killing the MMD by trying to shift the blame on Easterners.
Economic analyst Yusuf Dodia has observed that the state of the Zambian economy can be turned around in just 4 months if government puts the right measures in place.
Mr. Dodia says in his view, apart from other measures that the government can devise, the slow down in the country’s economy can be reversed if the Kwacha is stabilized.
He has told Qfm News in an interview that currently the country’s economy is not very strong because the Kwacha has been depreciating besides the cost of doing business escalating.
Mr. Dodia who is also Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) chairperson says for the fact that the currency and the cost of doing business are very important inputs in building an economy, there is usually slow down in economic development if these inputs become expensive.
He has advised that it is therefore necessary for the Kwacha to be stabilized in addition to other measures that should put in place to support the economy.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Presdent Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba says he is shocked at how President Edgar Lungu is mixing up his priorities by rushing to politic in Lubansenshi Constituency where there is a by-election coming up instead of visiting Baluba Mine in Luanshya where 1,645 miners have just been laid off.
On a tour of Baluba mine on Friday 11th September 2015 to assess facts on the ground for himself before proceeding to Lubansenshi in Luwingu District in Luapula Province, Dr. Mumba was met by anxious National Union of Mine and Allied Workers (NUMAW) officials led by their Vice President Mr Adam Zulu, who narrated the desperate situation facing them. They explained that only 45 workers have been retained and that the Minister of Labour, Honorable Minister Fackson Shamenda’s visit the previous day yielded no tangible results as all he did was issue threats to the mine owners and to tell the union to fight for the workers without making any commitment to the workers.
“It is shocking that in the midst of a serious crisis here at Baluba mine, where 1,645 miners have been laid off indefinitely due to placement of the mine on care and maintenance, the most urgent item on President Lungu’s mind is to rush for politicking in the Lubansenshi by-election. He could have at least passed through Luanshya like I have done and had dialogue with the mine owners and assess for himself what is going on and deal with the misery and uncertainty facing these miners,” Dr. Mumba said.
“The PF government has never brought any new investor to the mining sector since coming to power and has miserably failed to look after what the MMD handed over to them in 2011 but instead has destroyed everything. President Lungu is ruling this country by remote control because it is clear that he prefers to fly to foreign countries instead of finding a solution for this crisis. He needs to come here and give hope to these miners and their families. He is now day-dreaming that as far as the Government is concerned, the mine has not laid off any workers and that no one will be allowed to lay off any miners on account of lack of electricity. He needs to come and verify these stories for himself instead of relying on false stories from his ministers. We demand that he immediately comes back from Lubansenshi and hold an emergency press conference to give confidence and direction to the nation.
“The President is instead wasting time and scarce resources ferrying innocent traditional rulers to State House just to get a false sense of security from them that things are okay instead of solving national problems. Our chiefs cannot protect Mr. Lungu, it’s the people who voted for him that he needs to attend to. All of us political leaders are going to Lubansenshi except Mr Lungu. Surely this matter needs urgent attention” said Dr. Mumba.
Baluba Copper mine is owned by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corporation Luanshya Copper Mines (CLM) which was rescued by the MMD Government’s successful search of new investors after the mine closed due to underground flooding. The mine is now facing an imminent closure arising from the withdrawal of 30% of power by the Copperbelt Energy Company (CEC) due to the on-going nation-wide power shortage which has negatively impacted mining operations on the Copperbelt and North-Western province.
Dr. Mumba later stopped at Mpatamatu market where he was thronged by a spontaneous, enthusiastic crowd of marketeers who took turns in narrating their sufferings to him. Dr Mumba featured on Sun FM Radio in Ndola.
FAZ Super Division leaders Zesco United on Saturday look set to complete a double over struggling National Assembly when the two teams clash in a round 24 match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zesco defeated Assembly 1-0 in the away reverse fixture played on May 16 in Lusaka.
The two teams enters Levy Mwanawasa with contrasting fortunes.
George Lwandamina’s Zesco leads the table with 52 points from 22 matches played while Assembly are placed at the bottom with 17 points.
Going by the current statistics, Zesco are favourite to win this game on home turf.
Inform Chipolopolo striker and leading league scorer Winston Kalengo will be key as Zesco targets to complete a double over Francis Majaka’s beleaguered Parliamentarians.
Elsewhere on the Copperbelt, Power Dynamos and Konkola Blades are set to renew their old rivalry when they clash at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Relegation threatened Konkola are fighting against demotion while Power are looking forward to bouncing back from last weekend’s frustrating 1-1 draw at Red Arrows.
Power beat Konkola 1-0 in the corresponding fixture at Konkola Stadium in May.
This match will also see acting Konkola coach John Munkonje come up against his old club Power.
In other games, Luska’s Independence Stadium will host a double-header with Napsa Stars playing against Nchanga Rangers in a 13h00 kickoff match before Green Buffaloes hosts Nakambala Leopards at 15h00.
On Sunday, the double-header will shift to Sunset Stadium with Mufulira Wanderers facing Lusaka Dynamos at 13h00 while the Zanaco versus Nkana encounter will kick-off at 15h00.
FAZ Super Division Fixtures
Saturday, September 12th
Independence Stadium
Napsa Stars vs. Nchanga Rangers – 13:00
Green Buffaloes vs. Nakambala Leopards – 15:00
Zesco United vs. National Assembly – Levy Mwanawasa stadium
Green Eagles vs. Nkwazi – Independence Stadium – Choma
Power Dynamos vs. Konkola Blades – Arthur Davies
Forest Rangers vs. Red Arrows – Dola hill
Sunday September 13th – Sunset Stadium
Lusaka Dynamos vs. Mufulira Wanderers – 13:00
Zanaco vs. Nkana – 15:00
Chipolopolo striker Emmanuel Mayuka on Friday night marked his French Ligue 2 debut with a goal as his side Metz defeated Laval 1-0 away at Stade Francis le Basser.
Mayuka scored the crucial goal just three minutes after coming off the substitute bench.
The former Southampton and Kabwe Warriors striker was only introduced in the game after 70 minute.
Mayuka, 24, joined Metz on the deadline of the 2015 summer transfer window for an undisclosed fee from English Premiership club
Southampton.
He was not picked Zambia‘s 2017 Africa Cup Group E qualifier away to Kenya which Chipolopolo won 2-1 at Nyoyo Stadium in Nairobi.
DEPUTY Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has reassured the people of Southern Province that they will have equal access to quality healthcare services.
Dr Chilufya said the government is determined to provide quality and cost-effective healthcare services to all citizens regardless of their political affiliation and geographical location.
He said this in Choma on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu.
“The Patriotic Front government is determined to ensure equitable access and cost effective health services as close to the people of Southern Province as possible and to this effect, we are building infrastructure to cover the whole continuum of care. We are building health posts countrywide,” Dr Chilufya said.
And Dr Chilufya said Government is impressed with the progress made on the construction of 99 health posts in Southern Province.
He said three of the 99 health posts, which are at superstructure stage, are scheduled for completion and commissioning next month.
He said the project is part of Government’s ambitious programme to build 650 health posts countrywide.
“We are happy to note that 31 substructures [foundation] have been completed and three superstructures have been completed, we expect the three that have been completed to be commissioned in October,” Dr Chilufya said.
He is also happy that the construction of phase one of district hospitals in Gwembe, Namwala and Kalomo have been completed.
Mr Mubukwanu said the construction of the 99 health posts in the region is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to providing healthcare services to all citizens regardless of the political affiliation.
“The construction of the hospitals dispels assertions by politicians that this area [Southern Province] being predominantly an opposition stronghold is not having a fair share of healthcare but to the contrary there are a number of projects,” he said.
PRESIDENT Lungu has given farmers more reason to be happy with an announcement yesterday that Government would buy more maize from them than the targeted 500,000 metric tonnes for national strategic reserves.
There have been appeals from farmers across Zambia for Government, through the Food Reserve Agency, to buy more maize from them.
Mr Lungu said more funds will be provided to ensure that maize is bought from all the farmers. He said the maize can be exported because there is a market for the grain in neighbouring countries.
The President said this here yesterday during a campaign rally at Ndoki Primary School grounds to drum up support for Patriotic Front (PF) Lubansenshi parliamentary candidate George Mwamba in the September 24 by-election.
Other contestants in the by-election are independent Charles Chimumbwa, Gabriel Mulenga of the MMD, Rainbow Party candidate Daniel Mubanga and United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Patrick Mucheleka.
“Do not be deceived by people who are telling lies that we will not buy the maize from you farmers. We will continue buying the maize even after we have bought the 500,000mt for the reserves. The 500,000 is just for reserves,” Mr Lungu said.
RABIES has broken out in Lusaka’s Mtendere Township, the Lusaka City Council (LCC) has said.
The municipality has warned that it will start killing unregistered dogs in townships.
LCC assistant public relations manager Brenda Katongola said in a statement yesterday that one dog in Mtendere’s section D died on Monday at the Lusaka Animal Welfare shelter.
Ms Katongola said when the specimens were sent to the Veterinary laboratory at the University of Zambia (UNZA), the results confirmed that it was rabid.
Ms Katongola said another case was recorded at Chifwema Road off Leopard’s Lane and the dog was “put down” using euthanol on August 31, 2015.
She said results from the Veterinary laboratory at UNZA confirmed that the dog died of rabies.
Ms Katongola appealed to dog owners and members of the public to ensure that they have their dogs vaccinated against rabies.
She said dog owners should have their dogs confined or safely secured within their yards and that they should have their dogs registered with the local authority in accordance with the Control of Dogs Act Cap 247 of the Laws of Zambia, failure to which their dogs will be shot dead and the owners prosecuted.
“The Lusaka City Council has time and again appealed to members of the public to have their dogs registered with the council. Dog owners have also been asked to secure their dogs and to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies. Failure to comply with these requirements will lead to the putting down of the dogs and owners prosecuted in accordance with the Control of Dogs Act 247 of the Laws of Zambia,” Ms Katongola said.
MINISTER of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda has dismissed sentiments from some sections of society that the economy has collapsed under President Lungu’s leadership.
And Mr Shamenda has described President Lungu as a true democrat.
Mr Shamenda assured that the country is not falling apart and that the leadership is focused.
He was speaking on Thursday during the handover of a computer to United Church of Zambia (UCZ) – owned Chimwemwe Radio Station. The computer was donated by Airtel.
“If the things that other people are writing about were to be true, we would have had no country to talk about and I have worked with a number of Presidents, I have also worked closely with President Lungu and his style of doing things, he is a true democrat.
“And that is why in a number of cases where he has been insulted here and there, he has taken it as if it is one of his professional conditions of his service. He has got the interest of the country at heart,” Mr Shamenda said.
The minister also said it is unfair to heap all shortcomings on the President because he cannot be everywhere.
“The President has given leeway to his ministers to perform as per their portfolios,” he said.
Mr Shamenda has also said President Lungu has warned that he will make changes to his Government if Ministers fail to perform.
“We need to perform and those that are going to fail to perform, he will make necessary changes. It is important to make the necessary support, time and space so that we can be able to develop together,” Mr Shamenda said.
He is also concerned that some media houses have concentrated on looking for mistakes even when there are none.
Chimwemwe Radio Station board chairperson Cephas Katongo thanked Mr Shamenda for the donation because it will help improve the operations of the station.
GOVERNMENT will not accept the laying off of workers by mining houses without following normal laid down procedures which include informing the Ministry of Labour and engagement of trade unions.
Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda said mining houses should not take advantage of the current challenges to downsize labour force but that where there was need to do so in order to improve operational efficiency, normal laid down procedures would have to be followed.
Mr. Shamenda said this in a statement yesterday following a consultative meeting held at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Central offices in Kitwe with chief executive officers (CEOs) of various mining houses aimed at dissecting the challenges affecting the mines with regard to labour.
All the CEOs of the major mining houses save for Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) attended the meeting that was facilitated by the Chamber of Mines.
The Minister, who was giving the resolutions of the meeting, said going forward in addressing the problem of job cuts in the mining industry, no mining house would be allowed to work in isolation in addressing their individual challenges.
Mr. Shamenda said the Government, managements of mining houses and the unions would from now onwards be required to work together in order to have a win-win situation.
He said before any decision to shed off labour could taken, individual mines would have to engage with labour unions to firstly explore ways of how to minimize the impact of the current challenges.
“This is not the first time that we are having these challenges because we have gone through moments where the mining sector is facing a crisis but the only thing important and required is for all of us to work together in order to minimize the impact of these challenges,” he said.
Mr. Shamenda said in order to exclusively deal with the challenges affecting the mining industry, it was resolved that the engagement should be extended to the Ministry of Finance together with Commerce, Trade and Industry in order to look at a broader economic situation as it relates to the sector.
The Minister assured of Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges affecting the mining industry.
Mr. Shamenda, who assured that Government was on top of things in handling the crisis affecting the mining industry, said his Ministry working together with the Ministry of Mines would continue to engage the mines to ensure harmony.
Justice Minister Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula has urged political party leaders to desist from manipulating young people by using them as tools of violence.
Dr. Simbyakula notes that youths are vulnerable to manipulation by politicians more especially during elections.
Speaking during a Non -Violence political parties youth caucus meeting in Lusaka today, organized by the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Dr. Simbyakula expressed confidence that youths will learn conflict management skills which in turn will help them stay away from violent activities.
The Justice Minister has since called on all political party leaders to inculcate a non-violence culture in their party youths and adopt a peaceful behavior ahead of next year’s general election.
Speaking at the same event, YALI President Andrew Nthewewe says the objective of the caucus meeting is to strengthen youth’s participation in democratic process and build capacity so that they interrogate decisions made by politicians.
Meanwhile, UPND Vice President for Politics Dr. Canicius Banda says as long as Zambians continue to be uncivilized, it will be difficult to eliminate political violence in the country.
And Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia Melbourne Sean says the British Government stands ready to help Zambia in strengthening citizen’s voices and promoting peace.
© Lusaka Times
