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POLICE have instituted investigations to ascertain the cause of political violence that erupted during the Bangweulu by-election which led to some polling stations opening late on the voting day.
Luapula Province Commissioner of Police Hudson Namachila confirmed in an interview yesterday that investigations were underway but that no one had been summoned for interviews so far.
“A file of inquiry has been opened to investigate the cause of violence during the Bangweulu parliamentary by election, we have not yet summoned anyone one for interviews as the investigations are still underway,” Mr Namachila said.
Violence had erupted during the campaigns for the Bangweulu Parliamentary by election following allegations from opposition political party cadres who accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of allegedly ferrying pre-marked ballots in favour of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
The Bangweulu Parliamentary constituency fell vacant after the death of the PF Member of Parliament Chifita Matafwali died in India after an illness recently.
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The ruling PF retained the seat after its candidate Anthony Kasandwe emerged victorious in the Just ended by-election held last week.
Chishimba Kambwili with Amos Chanda at Statehouse
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda says government will this Wednesday announce the major steps it will take to mitigate the current problem of power supply being experienced in the country.
Mr. Chanda says Information and Broadcasting Services who is also Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili will make an announcement after the special Cabinet meeting on Wednesday over the steps that government will take to ensure that there is energy security in the country.
He told Journalists at State House today after the cabinet meeting that key on the agenda in today’s meeting was how government will ensure that it addresses the power supply deficit or hydro power problem in the country.
Mr. Chanda said deliberations of today’s cabinet meeting will continue on Wednesday after which the Minister of Information will inform the nation on the way forward over the issue.
LAFARGE Zambia managing director Emmanuel Rigaux (right) explaining a point to Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao (left) during a tour of the cement plant in Chilanga
Lafarge Zambia Plc has reported a four percent rise in profits in the first six months of 2015 of K187 million.
The firm also saw its sales turnover jump by 14% to K700 million over the same period.
Its Earnings Per Share rose by 4% to ZMW 0.936.
The company described its first half results as Solid in the context of a slowdown in the Zambian construction market and negative growth in the DRC.
It said Electricity supply disruptions adversely impacted cement production but that its financial position and cash flow remained solid with no external debt.
The company has since declared an interim dividend of K0.25 per share for the year ending 31 December 2015 was declared.
Lafarge Zambia Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rigaux market activity was subdued in the first half of the year in the Zambian market and negatively impacted by political uncertainties in the Democratic Republic of Congo which continues to be its major export market.
Mr Rigaux said the successful issuance of the $1.25 billion Eurobond by the Zambian Government is expected to generate increased construction activity.
He said Lafarge Zambia is now part of the most advanced and successful construction group in the world following the successful completion of the LafargeHolcim merger.
“The Company is ready to leverage the benefits of belonging to such a strong Group. It is determined to keep its market leadership and continue to offer our customers the best quality products and services,” Mr Rigaux said.
Mr Rigaux said domestic demand in the second half is expected to continue to slow down until Eurobond proceeds are directed towards infrastructure and construction activity.
“Strong focus in the second half will be placed on adjusting our cost base wherever necessary,” he said.
Government has admitted that the rapid technological development has impacted negatively on the postal services sector in Zambia.
First Quantum Minerals reports the restoration of full power supply to its Zambian operations First Quantum Minerals.
First Quantum has reported that ZESCO restored full power supply to its Kansanshi operation and Sentinel project on August 6, 2015.
This follows the receipt of notice of the declaration of Force Majeure for the supply of electricity from ZESCO to Kansanshi and the subsequent reduction in electricity supply to both Kansanshi and Sentinel as reported on July 27, 2015.
First Quantum Minerals President Clive Newall said while the Company believes some restrictions may be re-imposed during the remainder of 2015, ZESCO has stated that it has contracted independent power producers such as Maamba Collieries Limited and Itezhi Tezhi Power Corporation through the signing of Power Purchase Agreements to procure more electricity by the end of 2015.
THIRTEEN Patriotic Front (PF) members have applied for adoption as parliamentary candidates for the Solwezi West seat while nine intend to contest the Lubansenshi parliamentary by-election on the ruling party’s ticket.
PF chairperson for elections Emmanuel Mpakata said in an interview yesterday that the party has already conducted interviews at constituency and district levels for candidates wishing to contest the Solwezi West parliamentary seat.
“Interviews for the district and constituency in Solwezi West have already taken place. We are remaining with the provincial ones coming on Wednesday next week,” Mr Mpakata said.
The Solwezi West parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of Humphrey Mwanza while the Lubansenshi poll has been necessitated by the Supreme Court’s nullification of the election of Patrick Mucheleka.
Mr Mpakata said district, constituency and provincial interviews for the Lubansenshi seat will be concluded by Saturday this week.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set September 24 as the day for the by-election.
And the United Party for National Development (UPND) says it will contest the Solwezi West and Lubansenshi parliamentary seats while the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) will only contest the Lubansenshi seat.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said in an interview yesterday that the opposition party is in the process of identifying candidates to contest the two parliamentary by-elections.
“We are in the process of identifying people to participate but for Lubansenshi, if Patrick Mucheleka will be interested to work with UPND, then we can work with him,” he said.
FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the party will by Thursday next week select a candidate to contest the Lubansenshi by-election.
Mr Mwanza said the FDD national policy committee is currently scrutinising candidates to contest the seat.
“By next week, we will have a name of a candidate in the Lubansenshi by-election but we will not be participating in the Solwezi west parliamentary by-election,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mucheleka claimed the people of Lubansenshi feel cheated because he won the parliamentary seat and he was surprised by the Supreme Court’s nullification of his election.
“I will make a statement in the next few days about my next course of action. Right now, I am reflecting on what happened,” he said.
Chishimba Kambwili with Amos Chanda at Statehouse
GOVERNMENT says it is aware of a scheme and union of convenience by a cartel formed by a “desperate” opposition political party and a newspaper aimed at wrestling power from the Patriotic Front (PF).
Chief government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said the cartel is desperate and making panicky efforts to hoodwink and influence people’s minds through negative portrayal of the PF administration.
Mr Kambwili, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
“We are aware of a cartel that has been formed mainly to discredit Government at all costs. Just observe the way they have been covering President Edgar Lungu,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said the people of Zambia are now aware of what they want and can no longer be cheated through negative publicity in some sections of the media.
He said the cartel has for a long time been trying to sway the thinking of the people by attacking President Lungu at any given opportunity.
Mr Kambwili said the newspaper in the cartel is now recording declining sales because people have lost interest in its manner of reporting.
He said the newspaper’s belief that it can influence readers’ opinions is misplaced and ineffective.
Mr Kambwili said people in Zambia are now in a position to make informed decisions.
And commenting on Father Leonard Chiti’s attacks on the PF government, Mr Kambwili advised Fr Chiti to concentrate on preaching the word of God or join politics.
“Fr Chiti is a United Party for National Development sympathiser, hence should not be taken seriously, especially when he attacks the PF,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kambwili said the Chuundu Chaitwa organising committee has their right to either accept or reject the apology rendered by Government through Vice-President Inonge Wina over remarks made by PF secretary general Davies Chama.
Mr Kambwili said the apology that was made by government is sincere and that the resolutions of the committee should be respected.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu join a queue for Lunch during the junior achievers Mentorship Programme at State House on August 10,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA / STATE HOUSE
FIrst Lady Esther Lungu serving pupils during the First Lady's Mentorship Programme of the Junior achievers at State House on August 10,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA / STATE HOUSE
FIrst Lady Esther Lungu serving pupils during the First Lady's Mentorship Programme of the Junior achievers at State House on August 10,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA / STATE HOUSE
President Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu and ministers spouses pose for a photograph with Junior achievers during the First Lady's Mentorship Programme of the Junior achievers at State House on August 10,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA / STATE HOUSE
President Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu pose for a photograph with Junior achievers during the First Lady's Mentorship Programme of the Junior achievers at State House on August 10,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA / STATE HOUSE
President Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu and ministers spouses pose for a photograph with Junior achievers during the First Lady's Mentorship Programme of the Junior achievers at State House on August 10,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA / STATE HOUSE
President Edgar Lungu says his Government is working hard to enable children in rural areas access quality education.
President Lungu says rural based pupils especially the girl child are key in achieving 50 percent representation of women in various positions.
The President was speaking at State House Monday when he graced the First Lady for a Day Mentorship Programme organised by the Junior Achievement Zambia.
President Lungu implored the pupils to work hard and achieve their dreams.
And the First Lady says she is delighted to play a role in mentoring rural girls and boys from across the country.
Mrs. Lungu encouraged pupils to make education their priority as the country’s development depends on them.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Michael Kaingu says government is expected to spend over 19 million kwacha on vulnerable children in the education sector.
Dr. Kaingu who was represented by Director Early Childhood Education, Christine Mayondi, said 60 percent of the money will benefit girl pupils.
And Stanbic Bank Board Chairlady, Mary Ncube says the bank has so far spent over 4 hundred and 70 thousand kwacha on the Junior Achievement Zambia programme.
And Junior Achievement Zambia Board Representative, Francis Ndilila says the programme has so far impacted over two hundred and 60 pupils across the country.
Nkana coach Aggrey Chiyangi had demanded they have to maintain their current unbeaten run and return to the top eight of the FAZ Super Division.
Nkana on Saturday beat struggling national Assembly 3-1 at home in Kitwe steadily swim away from the fringes of the bottom four relegation zone.
The was Nkana’s second on the trot and also saw them extend their unbeaten run to five successive matches in which they have picked three draws.
Chiyangi said the next game away against defending champions and current league leaders Zesco United will test their current good form.
“What is important is to win the next game because that will help push us from the zone were we are because I think Nkana is a big club and doesn’t belong where it is right now,” Chiyangi said.
Nkana moved from 11th and are now knocking to the top 8 door.
The 12-time champions are at number 9 on 25 points from 19 matches with eleven games left to play and are fifteen points behind leaders Zesco.
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani Stella Libongani says it is not true that even police officers want President Edgar Lungu voted out in 2016.
Mrs. Libongani said in a statement that the Police Command would like to correct the wrong impression and unfounded statement reported in today’s post newspaper Edition number 6870 under the Headline “Police Officers, like everyone else, want political leadership change in 2016 – Mucheleka.”
She said police officers individually and collectively as a department are not politicians therefore, will not tolerate people creating an impression that the Zambia Police is political.
“As Police Command, we would like to correct the wrong impression and unfounded statement reported in today’s post newspaper edition number 6870 under the Headline “Police Officers, like everyone else, want political leadership change in 2016 – Mucheleka”.
“I would like to state that police officers individually and collectively as a department are not politicians therefore, will not tolerate people creating an impression that the Zambia Police is political,” Ms Libongani said.
Mrs. Libongani said the mandate of the Zambia Police Service is to ensure the provision of utmost security which is critical at times like the one during elections.
“Our main duties among others are to save life and protect property in the interest of all people of the country and the state at large. Statements like the one in the Post Newspaper are an affront to our professional stance and therefore we would like to take this opportunity to remind our Police officers to remain professional and not to be swayed in political biases but to concentrate on fighting crime and lawlessness in the Country,” Mrs. Libongani said.
She said Politicians such as the former Independent Member of Parliament for Lubansenshi Constituency Mr. Patrick Mucheleka and FDD President Ms Edith Nawakwi should not be making statements linking the police to politics.
“Politicians such as Mr Patrick Mucheleka and Ms Nawakwi should not be making statements linking the police to politics.
“Equally, the press should desist from reporting unconfirmed reports which could have potential to influence the security of this country negatively,” she said.
Patents and Company Registration Agency (PACRA) says they have recorded an increase in business registration in the last four years countrywide.
PACRA Public Relations Officer Vaida Njobvu said about 15,000 local companies and businesses had been registered with the agency in the first half of this year.
Mrs. Njobvu told (ZANIS) in an interview in Lusaka today that the agency was pleased that of the companies registered 5,000 are companies and over 10,000 are small businesses.
She observed that the establishment of provincial offices and the One Stop Business Centers had created a platform for many businesses to be registered in the country.
Mrs. Njobvu said the establishment of the One-Stop Business Centre’s in all the ten provinces was still in progress.
She however, reported that no company had been deregistered in the last six months.
Mrs. Njobvu explained that failure to comply with the legal requirement of annual returns was the main reason of deregistration.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda
Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda has implored Zambians to develop a culture of hard work.
Mr. Chikwanda said this is the only way the country can continue to make steady progress in its social and economic development.
The Minister said government stands ready to support all Zambians with various entrepreneurial skills aimed at enhancing their wellbeing.
He said this when he addressed residents of Chilubi district in Northern Province shortly after commissioning the new NATSAVE Bank.
Mr. Chikwanda further urged the people of Chilubi to come up with progressive initiatives on the profitable utilisation of the vast natural resources surrounding the island district.
He said government will continue to provide an enabling environment to all Zambians regardless of their status in society in order to develop the nation.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi has encouraged more women in Luapula Province to go back to school and ensure that they acquire an education if poverty and high illiteracy levels are to be fought successfully in the Province.
Ms. Nawakwi who took time off her busy campaign program during the recent Bangweulu Constituency by-election to visit some schools in the Constituency said acquiring an education was key to improving the lives of the people in the Constituency and Province at large.
She also noted that education will equip women with information which would help end teenage pregnancies which was “a fashion in the area” and that it would help motivate children to stay in schools.
“I am happy to see that some mothers are going back to school Ms. Nawakwi said as she inspected some books of adult pupils at Milulu Primary School. This is really nice, for once it is good to see that some of you have seen the importance of education and have decided to go back to school even if you are Grandmothers and mothers.
The illiteracy levels in this province are too high that’s why even the poverty levels are also high. I urge you to encourage other parents to join you because education has no age limit and with education you will equip yourselves with information which will help improve your lives not only as a family but as a community. I have seen one thing which is like a fashion were ever I have gone in this area, almost all women and girls are either pregnant, has a baby or both but I believe this will change once women are able to read because then they will understand that they can control their parenthood.
Ms. Nawakwi checks some books of grade 4 adult pupils at Milulu Primary School.
Your desire to have an education will also encourage children to go back to school because they will be motivated by the fact their parents are going back to school and this will also help in the fight against teenage pregnancy which is rampant here. It is so sad that children as young as 12 and 13 are becoming mothers when they are supposed to be in schools.”
She also noted that acquiring an education will improve the economy of families hence help in the fight to eradicate poverty in the Province.
“I believe that what you are doing here will help improve the economy of your families. When you are enlightened you discover opportunities were someone without an education will not see so you will find that there are a number of opportunities which you will cease because you spent time in a classroom. In fact you can even go to college and become nurses and teachers in these same communities. You also have fertile land and abundant water sources which you can use positively with the correct education, ” she explained.
Meanwhile some adult pupils at Milulu Primary School said they had decided to go back to school because they wanted to be good examples to their girl children who are the most affected by the high illiteracy levels.
They said it was difficult to motivate their children especially girls to remain in schools because there were no role models to point at as examples of the importance of education.
They also said they wanted to equip themselves with information and take charge of some things such as withdrawing money from banks.
Mrs. Mwansa who spoke on behalf of the class at Milulu further called on well wishers to equip the schools with modern learning materials.
Lily Mutamz makes her graceful return to the music scene with an afro-pop banger ‘WOZA‘ after being busy with MUTAMZ RECORDS, ZED FACTOR and a lot more entertainment related activities that keeps her connected to her homeland.
Copperbelt University
LECTURERS at the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe say they will not hesitate to withdraw their labour if Government fails to act on their submissions to Government.
Copperbelt University Academic Union (CBUAU) General Secretary Elaston Njovu said lecturers submitted during the meeting last week that while they resumed work Government should investigate their concerns.
On Thursday, lecturers agreed to resume work after holding a meeting with Minister of Education Michael Kaingu and his counterpart for Labour Fackson Shamenda.
Mr Njovu said the union submitted to the Minister of Education that he should ensure that the four top senior managers at the institution are removed.
He named the top four managers as Vice Chancellor Naison Ngoma, his deputy Shadreck Chama, bursar Fanwell Musonda and the registrar Hellen Mukumba.
“We also submitted that the dismissal letters which were issued to lecturers by the Copperbelt University Council should be withdrawn. We submitted to the minister that the dismissal letters were misplaced because it was done contrary to the disciplinary charges of the council so we requested the letter to be withdrawn and no academic staff should be fired,” Mr Njovu said.
He revealed that during the meeting with the two ministers, the union submitted that Dr Mwiya Songolo should be restored to the CBU council.
“We have also submitted to the minister to give us a clear road map to ascertain when they will complete investigating allegations leveled against the top four managers,” Mr Njovu said.
He said the lecturers were expecting as soon as possible to hear from the minister the action he would take on their submissions.
Mr Njovu told Daily Nation that the lecturers would take necessary measures if Government failed to take action on their submissions.
“We want to believe that Government will take appropriate action on our submissions. And Government should trust us and we shall deliver,” he said.
Mr Njovu thanked Dr Kaingu and Mr Shamenda for being fair during the meeting.
He however accused the CBU council of bias and making wrong decisions when it issued dismissal letter to the academic staff.
Last month, the CBU was closed indefinitely by Dr Kaingu.
This was after lecturers at the institution downed tools for more than three weeks to push for the resignation of Professor Ngoma and the entire management for alleged failure to manage the institution.
Dr Kaingu further revoked the appointment of CBUAU president Dr Songolo to the University Council. On Friday, Dr Kaingu announced that CBU would reopen on August 17.
Biology Department – UNZA
UNZA lecturers are angered that in spite of instructions from President Edgar Lungu, the Minister of Education Dr. Michael Kaingu has failed to open dialogue with them on how Government intends to settle the K340 million owed to them.
“We wrote to the President who referred the matter to the minister, but to date he has made no effort to discuss the matter with us,” University of Zambia Lecturers’ and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) general secretary Jason Mwanza has said.
The union has now mantained that unless the matter is resolved it will not release exam results, a move which may lead to the institution not reopening as scheduled on 4th October, 2015.
He said UNZALARU was not asking Government to pay the whole figure at once because the debt was too big but that the union was only seeking a commitment that it would pay the debt within a specified time because it had taken a long time to address the issue, while the debt continued accumulating.
“We know that the amount of money involved is quite substantial because it has accumulated over many years. All we want is an assurance and scheme on how the money will be paid.”
Mr Mwanza explained that the union was still waiting for a response from the ministry over a letter it wrote concerning the debt that Government owed the lecturers.
Mr. Mwanza said as long as the two parties did not meet the results would be withheld because the dues had continued to swell over the years.
He explained that UNZALARU had earlier written to President Lungu to raise their concerns over the debt and that it was directed to table its issue with the Ministry of Education.
He explained that the union would continue to wait for Government’s intervention to iron out the stand-off before the institution is opened.
“You may be aware that we wrote to the President over the same issue some time back and we were asked to engage the Ministry of Education so that we could find a common ground but it has been two weeks now from the time we wrote the ministry and we have not yet been given any feedback.
What we are waiting for right now is the ministry to get in touch with us so that we can sit down and address the issue,” Mr. Mwanza said.
“We are waiting for Government’s action but at the moment, we have heard nothing from Government, but we hope they will get back to us to resolve the matter. We have written to the Ministry of Education but it is more than two weeks now, and the ministry has not responded,” Mr Mwansa said.
He explaine that if the status quo continues, the students would not receive their results as earlier agreed.
“There should be commitment to breaking down the indebtedness. So, it is that commitment to breaking down the indebtedness which we are not seeing and if that remains unresolved, students won’t have the results,” he said.
