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Some members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church have condemned calls by some opposition political parties to deregister the organisation for not participating in politics.
The members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told ZANIS that it is unfair for leaders of political parties to start condemning their church.They said such remarks should be condemned by all well-meaning religious members as they are likely to bring confusion and hatred in the nation.
The church members added that politicians calling for the deregistering of their church are infringing on people’s rights of association.The further explained that Zambia is a Christian Nation and the Jehovah’s witnesses believe in their church doctrine and values.
They have since advised politicians spearheading such calls to concentrate on bringing positive development to the people rather than creating division among religious groups.
Recently National Revolution Party (NRP) leader, Cosmo Mumba, appealed to the Registrar of Societies to force Jehovah’s Witnesses to start singing the national anthem and participate in political elections alleging that they were contributing to voter apathy in the country.
Government has warned political parties taking part in the three forthcoming parliamentary by-elections in Mulobezi, Malambo and Petauke against ferrying party cadres from other parts of the country to the constituencies.
Acting Chief Government Spokesperson Ngosa Simbyakula,
Minister of Justice and Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, Ngosa Simbyakula
who is also Minister of Justice, said reports that some political parties were planning to ferry their supporters to the three constituencies especially Mulobezi were disturbing.
Dr. Simbyakula said in a statement to ZANIS that political parties should note that imported cadres were known for instigating political violence.He said it was unfair for any outsider to disrupt the most cherished peace and tranquillity the people of Mulobezi hold so dear to their hearts.
Dr. Simbyakula has since urged political parties to allow the people of Mulobezi to exercise their free will and judgement in the choosing of a candidate of their choice to be their representative without influence of outsiders.He has also reminded all political parties that the culture of violence was not only archaic but unZambian and unacceptable.
He said Zambia was known for peace and tranquillity which the people have enjoyed for the past 50 years.Dr. Simbyakula has further stated that it was the desire of government as well as every well-meaning Zambian that this status quo continues.
Meanwhile, Western Province Police Commissioner Standwell Lungu has said the situation in Mulobezi constituency was calm and peaceful.
Mr. Lungu said there were enough police officers on the ground to curtail any violence that may occur ahead of the June 30, 2015 parliamentary by-elections.
He told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in a telephone interview from Mulobezi that there has been no other violence in the area from the time the first shooting incident happened at the weekend.
He also disclosed that the three people who were arrested following the violence will appear in court soon after the Director of Public Prosecutor gives a fiat to go ahead with the case.
Mr. Lungu said once a go ahead is given to the Zambia police, then criminal proceedings will commence against the suspects in the courts of law.
And Mr. Lungu has disclosed that the person who was shot in Mulobezi is recovering adding that he will be discharged today according to the doctor’s statement to the Zambia Police Service.
Mr. Lungu also said the bullet has been extracted from the victim’s buttocks and that his condition was good to facilitate his discharge from the hospital where he has been recovering.
And Mr. Lungu has warned the would- be perpetrators of violence in Mulobezi, constituency that they will be dealt severely by the police.
Mr. Lungu said there was enough manpower in the constituency to deal ruthlessly with any law breakers.
He said those contemplating to cause violence in the constituency were doing so at their own risk.
President Edgar Lungu signing the book of condolences for the 200 Ghanians who died at a gas station fire in Accra Ghana.Looking on his right is the Ghanaian High commissioner to Zambia and Malawi Elizabeth Afua Benneh
President Edgar Lungu has expressed his sincere condolences over the death of about 200 Ghanaians who died at a filling station in Accra Ghana last week.Floods had shut down the capital of Ghana and caused a fire that killed more than 150 people, as Accra’s colonial-era sewers struggled to clear water from a city that has doubled in size over recent decades.
A moderate rain last Wednesday afternoon turned into a citywide disaster that evening, as roads, including the main boulevard that encircles the city of four million people, pooled with water, residents said.Dozens of people had sought shelter at the gas station and in nearby shops in central Accra to escape the torrential rains at the time of Wednesday night’s blast. Flooding swept fuel being stored at the station into a nearby fire, triggering the explosion that also set ablaze neighboring buildings, officials said. Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama said as many as 150 people are thought to have died.
In his message of condolence to Ghanaian President John Dlamani Mahama, President Lungu said Zambia joins the people of Ghana in mourning the death of many people in that peaceful country.
Mr. Lungu said this today when he signed a book of condolences at the Ghanaian Embassy in Lusaka.The head of state, who arrived at the Ghanaian Embassy at about 11:12 hours, said the people of Zambia received the death of over 200 Ghanaian citizens with shock and deep sorrow.
He stated that the people of Zambia and Ghana were one people and as such, the loss of many lives was saddening to Zambians as well.He said this was a trying moment for the people of Ghana and Zambia which need God’s guidance and strength during the period of national mourning.
And Ghana’s High Commissioner for Zambia and Malawi Elizabeth Afua Benneh thanked President Lungu for joining the people of Ghana in mourning the deceased.Ms. Benneh said this underscored the love the people of Zambia have to the people of Ghana.She added that this further consolidates the bilateral relations which have existed between the two countries for many years.She said this was the first time the incidence of that nature has happened in Ghana after many years of political independence.Ms. Benneh further said the President Mahama declared three days of national mourning following the death of over 200 people.The national mourning period ends today, Wednesday June 10, 2015.
She said currently, the people of Ghana are holding interdenominational prayers to seek God’s guidance and strength during the dark moment that has befallen the country.
Flooding in Ghana’s capital swept stored fuel into a nearby fire, setting off a huge explosion at a gas station, authorities said Thursday. PHOTO: CHRISTIAN THOMPSON/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zambeef Products Plc has reported a 56 percent rise in profit for the first half of its financial year, boosted by increased sales in its core meat business.
The agribusiness conglomerate made a profit of K75 million before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITA) in the six months to March 31, 2015, up 56 percent compared with the same period of last year.
Zambeef attributed the rise in earnings to strong sales of its cold chain meat and dairy products and continued tight control of administrative costs. The rise in profit was despite a 22 percent depreciation of the kwacha against the US$ dollar during the period.
“Zambeef has taken a number of large steps forward. The financial performance is significantly up on the same period in the previous financial period while Zambeef also concluded the sale of its subsidiary company, Zamanita Ltd, in line with the strategic aim of unlocking value and capital gains from within the Group and reducing the dollar gearing of the business,” said chairman Dr Jacob Mwanza.
The company also reiterated its strategic priorities: to expand the production, processing, distribution and retailing of meat and dairy products in Zambia; unlock value and capital gains from within the group and reduce dollar debt and gearing; to forge strategic alliances and partnerships with acknowledged industry leaders; and to develop the business into a regional food supplier.
“With Zambeef operating in some of the fastest growing parts of the world where both populations are increasing and real incomes growing, the demand for food will continue to show strong growth.
Zambeef has a clear intention to be an important player in meeting this increased demand for food products. With the disposal of Zamanita, we are pleased that management will be able to pay increased focus on driving the core business of Zambeef, which is the production, processing, and distribution of cold chain meat and dairy products. In addition the disposal of Zamanita will reduce dollar gearing and hence make our earnings less susceptible to rapid exchange rate movements,” said Dr Mwanza.
Joint chief executive officers Carl Irwin and Francis Grogan told shareholders: “Increased focus on Zambeef’s core business, which is the processing, distribution and retailing of cold chain meat and dairy products, has seen strong growth in these business units. Looking at beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs and fish combined the gross profit has increased by 48% (US$29%). This part of the business will remain a priority in terms of capital expenditure and management focus. New projects being worked on include a new processing and distribution hub in Kitwe as well as wholesale depots in Solwezi, Mongu, and Lusaka.
Zambeef also reported that the business was strongly cash generating with net cash inflow before financing increasing by 171 percent to ZMK61 million.
The new hatchery, breeder farm and stock feed plant being erected at Mpongwe Farm, as a joint venture with RCL Foods Ltd of South Africa, is progressing well. The first day old chicks will come on line in September 2015 and start at around 220,000 chicks per week increasing to 320,000 chicks per week over a 12 month period. The new stock feed plant should be operational before the end of the financial year. This project will take Zambeef’s chicken operations to a new level and the benefits from this will start flowing through during the 2016 financial year.
We wish to announce to the nation that the UPND supporter Mushaukwa Mushaukwa,who was shot by PF Secretary General Davies Chama has mysteriously gone missing from his Livingstone General Hospital bed where he was receiving treatment.
This is a serious concern to us in the UPND and the nation because party President Hakainde Hichilema and his entourage yesterday visited the victim Mushaukwa Mushaukwa on his hospital bed, and he revealed on camera that he was shot by the PF Secretary General Davies Chama and not the driver.
Strangely, Mushaukwa has now gone missing from his hospital bed and to us in the UPND, the Zambia Police and the PF regime will be held responsible for whatever happens to our party member whose whereabouts are currently not known.
Zambian violinist Caitlin De Ville relesed the video for her electric violin original song “Crowe”
Composed by Caitlin & Vaughan De Ville |Filmed by Vaughan De Ville Tim Wecke | Edited by Caitlin |Music Produced by: Vaughan De Ville
She had this to say about the video “Thousands of hectares of Cape Town’s National parks were recently ravaged by massive fires, we happened upon a scarred location to do a short shoot in, visually surreal – Tim Wecke Photography took some amazing photos & as he said on his page ‘despite the death and decay, there is hope, there is new life, and amongst it all beauty remains..”
“Born and bred on the Copperbelt, today Caitlin de Ville travels the world performing with her electric violin. Her music videos have millions of views on YouTube and she performs in sold out arenas. Her shows are spectacular theatrical performances that have included laser light shows, aerial trapeze and on one occasion even jumping between moving train carriages whilst playing.”
The Jail is a terrible place for criminals but a great place of inspiration for those that stand up for the dignity of humanity. It must be learnt that peace is not the absence of war but the haven of tolerance. I wish to thank everyone who has supported and wished me freedom.”- Pilato
FILE: Then Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa launching Zambia’s US$750million-worth bond at Deutsche Bank’s Fixed Income Trading Floor on Wall Street in New York, USA, on Thursday 13 September, 2012. This was after his telephone call with Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, who endorsed the transaction. photo by Chibaula D. Silwamba GRZ
A local think tank has warned that Zambia risks defaulting on repayments of existing Eurobond loans.
In a report published today titled “A Cautionary Tale of Zambia’s International Sovereign Bond Issuances”, ZIPAR Executive Director Pamela Nakamba-Kabaso says action must be taken now to avoid the risk of defaulting on the Eurobonds, which would have a very detrimental impact on the economy and affect Zambia’s standing among international investors.
Dr Kabaso pointed out the challenge of having to repay the loans in full within a very tight two year period between2022-2024 when the respective ten-year bonds mature.
She observed that significant repayment risks will arise if there are adverse changes in the domestic or international market conditions before these dates.
‘ZIPAR argue that borrowing from international markets can be beneficial if invested wisely, and are important to plugging the financial gap now that Zambia, as a lower middle income country, is less able to access low interest loans from the donors,’ Dr Kabaso said.
She continued, ‘Eurobonds strengthen transparency and macroeconomic discipline because Zambia now faces scrutiny from international investors and credit rating agencies. However ZIPAR feels that significant repayment risks will arise especially that Zambia’s exposure to currency volatility is high because of its heavy reliance on copper for foreign exchange and recently the price of copper on the international market has declined owing to weak demand from major consumers such as China.’
Dr Kabaso said the report draws attention to the fact that, because the bonds are denominated in US dollars, the recent depreciation of the Kwacha has made the interest payments even more expensive.
‘The recent depreciation of the Kwacha against major international currencies has increased debt servicing costs, which may crowd out social sector spending. The reverberations of the recently-reversed mining tax regime are still being felt by various stakeholders and has affected mining output during the first half of the year,’ she observed.
‘The fiscal deficit as a result of the reversal of the 2015 mining tax regime may be a lot higher than the projected K2.3 billion due to the forward and backward linkages of the mining sector. The country may have to borrow further to plug this deficit,’ she stated.
The Zambian government borrowed US$750 million in 2012 and US$1 billion in 2014 from the international financial markets. Each year, interest payments on existing Eurobonds will gobble up in excess of US$125 million.
The report further points out that Zambia is on a learning curve and has only limited experience in managing Eurobonds, a market-based form of financing.
Dr Kabaso said ZIPAR has since recommended achievement of fiscal discipline aimed at reducing the need to borrow more and broadening its tax base, strengthen revenue collection and contain expenditure.
She said ZIPAR has also recommended that government considers setting up a Sinking Fund to help repay bonds in 2022 and 2024 saying putting aside funding each year into a sinking fund for the two Eurobonds will insulate against future adverse macroeconomic conditions.
Dr Kabaso said refinancing the second Eurobond, but only at the right time especially that the second bond was obtained on relatively unfavourable terms and could be replaced with another bond with lower interest rate and longer maturity but noted that this is only likely to be possible once the overall fiscal position improves.
‘Improve existing institutional and legal bottlenecks in debt management including the finalisation of the Medium Term Debt Management Strategy and the reorganisation of the debt office to enhance its risk portfolio monitoring and analysis,’ she said.
And ZIPAR Research Fellow Shebo Nalishebo said, ‘the Zambian government’s use of Eurobonds has some advantages. The borrowed funds have mainly been invested in the energy and transport sectors.’
‘These are infrastructure projects that, it is hoped, will help increase economic growth, job creation and increase government tax revenues in the future. However, Zambia also needs to manage the risks of greater borrowing,’ Mr Nalishebo said.
‘Looking at countries around the world which have defaulted on their sovereign debt shows just how damaging this can be. Tough decisions will need to be taken to ensure that Zambia manages the risks. These include measures to reduce the high fiscal deficit, setting up a sinking fund and looking at the case for refinancing the second Eurobond.”
The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) says it is unacceptable for the ruling party to insinuate that Civil Society Organizations want a new constitution because they are pushing for the introduction of homosexuality in the country.
ZCSD Executive Secretary Lewis Mwape has told QFM News that during the constitution national consultative Conference those issues were discussed and wonders why the ruling party is diverting the attention.
Mr. Mwape says the PF will do well to inform the nation if they have included any clauses in the final draft constitution aimed at promoting homosexuality in the country.
He says PF officials accusing CSOs of trying to promote homosexuality are new in the PF and do not understand anything about the constitution, describing them as hired voices.
Mr. Mwape states that the main reason some Civil society organizations decided to join the Grand Coalition is because they wanted to join forces with others stakeholders who are committed to ensuring that the country comes up with a new constitution.
Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, has confirmed that he will grace this year’s Zambia’s International Trade Fair (ZITF).
This came to light when a special envoy from Kenya, Fred Matiangi, paid a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu at State House.
Mr Matiangi told President Lungu that his Kenyan counterpart has accepted as requested by the Zambian government for him to grace this year’s ZITF.
He disclosed that the Kenyan President will be in Zambia on July 4, 2015, to officiate at this year’s ZITF.
Mr Matiangi said Zambia shares a special relationship with Kenya hence the acceptance by President Kenyatta to officiate at this year’s ZITF.
He further disclosed that President Kenyatta will be accompanied by a delegation from the private sector and the business community during his state visit to Zambia.
Mr Matiangi assured President Lungu that his Kenyan counterpart is committed to further strengthening the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
He noted that President Kenyatta cherishes the relations that the two countries enjoy.
And in response to the message sent by the Kenyan Head of State, President Lungu said he was looking forward to the visit of his counterpart.
President Lungu revealed that he is eagerly waiting for Mr Kenyatta’s visit to Zambia.
Mr Lungu noted that the confirmation of President Kanyatta’s coming is an indication that the trip is on.
The Head of State told the visiting special envoy to inform President Kenyatta that Zambia is warmly preparing for his visit.
EXIM bank of China has released a payment of US$108 million for the construction of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA).
The upgrade of the KKIA will cost US$360 million which will be financed by the Exim Bank of China through a loan facility signed by the Government.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga confirmed the development in Lusaka yesterday.
The minister said the airport would be upgraded by China Jiangxi International at a cost of US$360 million and is expected to be finished in 2018.
“We are looking at the programme of works and we have told the contractor that the programme of works should be handed in by Friday because we want to have a programme other than just working so that we can review it,” he said.
The new airport will contain a new two-storey terminal building,22 check-in counters, 12 border channels and six security check counters; a presidential terminal, a new air traffic control building and tower.
It will also include a new Zambia Airport Corporation office, ashops complex and a hotel, among others.
Mr Mukanga said significant progress had been attained regarding the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport project following the thorough review of the architectural designs.
“Currently about 95 per cent of the drawing have already been done but out of those 95 per cent we have Rescue and Fire Appliance Bay which is done and we have a VIP lounge site which has been done also,” he said.
Mr Mukanga said they have other challenges that needed to be worked on adding that once the money is released in the China Jiangxi International account they will be a lot of progress.
“Most of the issues that were affecting construction were issues of understanding and ensuring the contractor does its part,” Mr Mukanga said.
Mr Mukanga said the funds for the construction of the KKIA were intact saying that the funds would be transferred directly into China Jiangxi International’s account.
“The money will be released directly into the contractors account from Exim Bank of China… it’s not coming from the ministry to the contractor even when we signed a loan the money moves from Exim Bank of China to the contractor and what we want is to see the result,” he
said.
The new KKIA once completed will be a show piece in the region competing with the likes of OR Tambo in South Africa. ZACL is striving to make the airport a regional hub.
THE Grand Coalition on the campaign for a people-driven constitution and other stakeholders have welcomed Cabinet’s approval of the introduction of the Referendum (Amendment) Bill of 2015 to bring it in conformity with the constitution on the eligibility criterion for voting in a national referendum.
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) and the United Front for Democracy (UFD) have also welcomed the development.
Grand Coalition chairperson Leonard Chiti said in an interview yesterday that the introduction of the Referendum (Amendment) Bill 2015 is long overdue and a step in the right direction.
He said the Grand Coalition would have loved the amendment of the Referendum Act to be done in a more systematic way.
Fr Chiti also said the Grand Coalition wants Government to provide a clear road-map, time-line and details of the contents of the Referendum (Amendment) Bill 2015
“We are looking forward to the publication of the Bill so that we see the details, but we must commend Government because it is a step in the right direction,” Fr Chiti said.
And CSPR executive director Kryticous Nshindano said on ‘Let the people talk’ programme on Radio Phoenix yesterday that this is what civil society has been advocating but that there is a lot of work yet to be done.
YALI president Andrew Ntewewe said on the same programme that the move is a progressive one which will require adequate sensitisation.
“People need to be sensitised on this development so that they can participate in the referendum and make it a success,” Mr Ntewewe said.
And UFD, an alliance of five opposition political parties, had urged members of Parliament to support the Bill when it is tabled in the House.
Speaking on behalf of the alliance, Christian Democratic Party president Dan Pule told a press briefing yesterday that UFD will support Government’s road-map in the constitution-making process.
Dr Pule urged Government to take advantage of the goodwill and support from the opposition and church to expedite the publication of the Bill.
“We appeal to parties in Parliament to demonstrate patriotism and support the bill to ensure amendments are enacted by parliament,” he said.
He said UFD has submitted its observations and recommendations to minister of Justice Ngosa Simbyakula.
The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has said that it has no intention of boycotting participation in by-elections.
UPND Deputy Secretary General Kuchunga Simusamba said that the party UPND will not boycott elections because the party is the only hope for the people of Zambia.
Mr Simusamba said that the party will continue participating in by-elections contrary to the suggestion that it is contemplating boycotting future by-elections due to increasing political violence.
He said that the UPND has come to believe that it is the only political party the people are looking forward to and that boycotting elections would not work in the interests of the people.
Mr Simusamba added that the party is there to ensure the Patriotic Front is stripped of power so that the people’s lives can be uplifted.
Yesterday, UPND Sesheke central Member of Parliament (MP) Siyanga Siyauya called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to postpone the elections due to violence that has erupted between his party and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Siyauya, who is UPND campaign manager for the Mulobezi by elections, said the violent clashes which happened between the two political parties on Saturday which saw one UPND cadre shot at was a clear indication that the elections would not be held in a peaceful manner.
He said if the elections were not postponed, there would be more violence in the area because more cadres from the UPND had since started trooping into Mulobezi to beef up their team.
Power Dynamos end their one month layoff on Wednesday when they return to action in a rescheduled FAZ Super Division Week 11 fixture.
The Kitwe side visit struggling National Assembly at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Power has a whooping four games in hand after they took the layoff because they had over five players away on 2015 Cosafa cup and 2015 CAF U13 cup qualifying duty in May.
Their last game came on May 16 when they beat Konkola Blades 1-0 away in Chililabombwe.
Tennant Chilumba’s side are 6th with 16 points, 12 points behind leaders Zanaco.
Power will also be trying to avoid suffering the same fate that befell Zesco United when they returned to action last Wednesday under similar circumstances only to lose 2-1 at home against Nkwazi.
Power will be counting on top scorer on five goals Jimmy Ndhlovu who returns from Zambia duty who is seemingly enjoying better luck at his club than at Chipolopolo.
Meanwhile, Zesco will take another day off after cancelling their home game against Nchanga Rangers just four days after pulling out of their away date against Power.
And at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Lusaka Dynamos visit Red Arrows in the other rescheduled Week 11 game.
