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FILE: Two women using a mosquito net to catch fish in Mongu. It is illegal to fish using a mosquito net
A public health officer in Kasama has expressed concern that some community members are allegedly using mosquito nets for designing wedding dresses.
Mr. Morgan Sanka a Public heath Officer in Kasama District revealed this during a public meeting at Chief Nkole Mfumu Palace in Kasama District.
He explained that he was very disappointed to note that some community members were using mosquito nets for designing wedding dresses and not for the intended fishing purposes.
Mr. Sanka said it was sad that his office had been distributing mosquito nets to the community for Malaria prevention but were instead being abused.
He further called on people to report anyone found selling or using mosquito nets for other things apart from their intended purpose.
The health public officer also advised those engaged in the practice that they were doing so at the expense of risking their own health.
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set 6 August 2015 has the date for the Bangweulu constituency parliament by elections.
The Bangweulu constituency seat fell vacant after the death of Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament Chifita Matafwali on 20 May 2015.
ECZ public relations manager Chris Akufuna in a statement released in Lusaka today said the nomination date has been set for 9 July 2015 as candidates will be required to carry nine supporters and other requirements for the nomination.
“The ECZ has set 6 August 2015 as the date for the Bangweulu seat that fell vacant after the death of the area MP Chifita Matafwali. Seven local government seats will also be held on the same date,” he said.
Mr Akufuna added that the local government seats fell vacant after the resignation or expulsion of the area Councillors in the affected wards.
Mr Matafwali passed on 20 May 2015 at 11:00 hours in India whilst undergoing treatment at Jehangir Hospital. He was put to rest on 27 May 2015 at Lusaka’s Leopard Hill memorial park.
A video that leaked on social media showing Zambia National Service (ZNS) recruits being whipped by their instructors has cost five officers their jobs.
ZNS has dismissed the five military instructors for physically abusing recruits.
This follows investigations instituted after allegations of physical abuse on recruits at the training school in Kabwe emerged when a video was posted on Facebook showing the recruits being hazed as instructors laughed while recording the whipping of the recruits.
ZNS public relations officer Mable Nyone said in a statement yesterday that it has been proven that the instructors inflicted physical abuse on the recruits and ignored the Training Standing Orders.
“Following the apparent physical abuse of ZNS recruits during training at the ZNS Training School in Kabwe and the investigations that followed, it has been proven that the instructors went out of their way to inflict physical abuse on the recruits ignoring Training Standing Orders,” Lt Col Nyone said.
Lt Col Nyone said those dismissed include four officers and one serviceman, who were captured in the online video footage abusing the recruits.
She however could not name the dismissed officers.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo (left) and Lusaka District Commissioner Ashwell Kampengele watch Ngoni warriors perform the Ngoma war dance at the launch of the N’cwala traditional ceremony festivities in Lusaka on Saturday
DEPUTY Minister in the Office of the Vice President Stephen Kampyongo has charged that the UPND has resorted to violence in Mulobezi because it has sensed that it is losing grip in Western Province.
Commenting on the violence that happened in Mulobezi recently, Kapyongo who is also Vice Campaign Manager for Petauke Central said the UPND has lost grip of Western Province as well as the confidence of people in that area.
“They know that people have lost confidence in them and their leadership, so they have resorted to violence,” he said.
Mr Kapyongo said UPND is known for violence whenever elections were held in places where they enjoy some support like what happened in Mapatizya constituency.
He said Malambo and Petauke Central constituencies have not recorded any violence because the UPND are not enjoying any support there hence violence free campaign.
“In Chawama, Masaiti and Senga Hill we had no violence because they have no support there,” he said.
Mr Kampyongo said the UPND is scared to lose the Mulobezi seat but that there is nothing they can do as the people no longer trust in their leadership.
Recently, Patriotic Front secretary-general Davies Chama and his entourage was attached as they were driving to the campaign centre in Mulobezi.
The thugs who were clad in United Party for National Development (UPND) regalia attacked Mr Chama and his team with knives and machetes but his bodyguard shot at one of them before they scampered.
One of the cadres was apprehended and taken to Mulobezi Police Station before being taken to a rural health centre for treatment.
And Mr Chama condemned the violence being perpetrated by the suspected UPND cadres despite their party leadership promising free and fair campaigns.
He said it is disappointing for UPND party cadres to engage in campaigns of intimidation, which is a threat to peace and unity during campaigns.
Mr Chama called on all political parties participating in the Mulobezi by-election to engage in peaceful campaigns.
Inspector-General of Police Stella Libongani condemned the violence being perpetuated by suspected UPND cadres.
Mrs Libongani, however, assured that her office would deploy more officers to police the area.
The election of UPND’s Hastings Sililo was nullified by the courts of law following electoral malpractice.
The PF has adopted Patricia Mulasikwanda in Mulobezi while the UPND is fielding Mr Sililo.
UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo said the party will not protect any cadre perpetuating violence ahead of Mulobezi by-election.
Mr Lifwekelo said the UPND is very clear on its message on violence, adding it will not protect any cadre who will be found wanting.
“The party detests violence as it damages its image. We will not protect anyone and police should prosecute anyone found wanting,” he said.
Mr Lifwekelo also stressed the need for all political parties to embrace each other as brothers and sisters so that there can be free and fair campaigns.
FOURTH Revolution Party (4R) President Eric Chanda has opposed the dual citizenship saying it will only benefit foreigners.
Mr Chanda in an interview said Zambians that wanted to see the country develop must come back and work in the country than going abroad.
“Dual citizenship should not be encouraged, only foreigners will benefit from it. Those Zambians outside must come back and help develop the country than hiding in the Diaspora,” he said.
The 4R leader added that there are other serious issues that needed to be included in the constitution than the dual citizenship which in the end will only benefit foreigners.
Recently, President Lungu assured Zambians in the Diaspora of the much-desired dual citizenship if Parliament approves the proposal in the draft constitution.
Mr Lungu said dual citizenship is one of the non-contentious issues that cabinet at its last sitting considered for presentation to parliament for enactment in the phased constitution-making process.
[pullquote]“Dual citizenship should not be encouraged, only foreigners will benefit from it. Those Zambians outside must come back and help develop the country than hiding in the Diaspora,” he said.[/pullquote]
Addressing Zambians living in South Africa on Saturday at a dinner hosted for him by the Zambian High Commission, President Lungu said Government is comfortable with granting dual-citizenship to Zambians living abroad.
“Government has agreed to allow Zambians to hold dual citizenship with some rights like the presidency (contesting presidential elections) being the preserve of those holding single citizenship.
“If Parliament chooses not to accept this, it will be another situation, but if it is agreed, you will have it,” he said.
He said Government is also considering the issue of voting rights for Zambians in the Diaspora, through the Electoral Commission of Zambia which is expected to make the relevant proposals.
President Lungu said every Zambian should exercise the right to vote, but necessary mechanisms must be put in place and there should be consensus from every stakeholder, especially the opposition.
Mr Lungu said Government is further looking at ways of incorporating Zambians living abroad in national development through access to land and finance.
Government is also considering suitable incentives to attract Zambian professionals in the Diaspora to return to Zambia.
And on the status of local government authorities, President Lungu said Government wants to revamp councils and enable them operate autonomously.
Mr Lungu also assured Zambians abroad that the country is at peace and they should not panic when they hear false stories suggesting otherwise.
Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula
Cabinet has approved the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill of 2015, which seeks to implement the proposed changes to the mining tax regime and increase corporate income tax for mining operations from zero percent to 30 percent.
Acting chief Government spokesperson Ngosa Simbyakula told journalists shortly after a Cabinet meeting yesterday that the Bill also seeks to introduce a variable profit tax of up to 15 percent for mining operations.
Corporate income tax is a levy placed on the profit of a firm, with different rates used for different levels of profits.
Variable profit tax comes into play when corporate expense varies with production output. Variable costs are those that vary depending on a company’s production volume; they rise as production increases and fall as production decreases.
Dr Simbyakula said the Bill will also seek to increase corporate income tax rate for mineral processing from 30 percent to 35 percent and further limit the deduction of losses for mining operations to 50 percent of taxable profit charge.
Dr Simbyakula, who is also Minister of Justice, said Cabinet approved the Mines and Minerals Development Bill 2015, for introduction in Parliament during this sitting.
Mineral royalty tax has been set at nine percent for open-cast mining operations and six percent for underground mining operations.
“This Bill further seeks to revise the law relating to the exploration, mining and processing of minerals, provide for safety, health and environmental protection in mining operations,” Dr Simbyakula said.
He also said Cabinet has approved the Gold Trade (Repeal) Bill that seeks to repeal the Gold Trade Act, in order to avoid duplicity as dealing in gold will be provided for in the revised Mines and Minerals Development Act.
Cabinet also approved the double taxation agreement between the Zambian government and the Kingdom of Netherlands with a view to avoiding double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
THE Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) is structuring a financing facility which President Lungu negotiated with China for setting up small milling plants across the country at a cost of over US$50,000 per plant in rural areas where there is surplus maize production.
DBZ managing director Jacob Lushinga said in an interview yesterday that Government is rolling out a plan to create more than 30,000 jobs and significantly push down mealie-meal prices by setting up the milling plants.
Once the DBZ has completed the structuring of the milling plant financing, it will disburse the finances to the Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF), which will identify the key areas for the milling plants and implement the presidential initiative.
“This ambitious plan is actually a presidential initiative aimed at tackling rural poverty and curbing unemployment. The bank is honoured to structure the finances from China for this important project of the government,” Mr Lushinga said.
Under the plan, small milling plants will be set up in parts of Zambia where excess maize is produced so that the milling of the commodity can be done at the source of production in order to push down the prices of the staple food.
Mr Lushinga said the high mealie-meal prices are due to transportation costs.
“One such small milling plant once established will need at least up to 12 people to put up the structure and to run at that level. This will result in not less than 30,000 jobs created by the end of this year,” he said.
Mr Lushinga said the exact figures for the plants are being worked out.
“I think this country has a practical president who wants to nip the problem in the bud by reducing poverty because people can only work better, study better or think better when they are not hungry…that is what we are seeing here and it must be commended,” Mr Lushinga said.
President Lungu, during the campaign for the 2015 election, which he won, promised to bring down the prices of maize and continue creating jobs by taking milling plants to places of crop production and cut the cost of transportation.
Parliament
THE fourth session of the eleventh National Assembly, which adjourned sine die on March 26, resumes sittings today and is expected to discuss wide-ranging issues in its life.
Some of the issues expected to be tabled pertain to the constitution-making process and several bills which Cabinet has approved.
The Referendum and Constitutional Amendment Bill is expected to be tabled to shape the constitution-making programme which Zambia has embarked on.
The Income Tax Amendment Bill is also expected to be tabled following the proposed changes to the mining tax regime.
The Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (Amendment) Bill and National Pension Scheme (Amendment) Bill will seek to increase the retirement age to 60 years and provide for early retirement at 55 and late retirement at 65 years.
The House is also expected to ratify the appointment of Justice Esau Chulu as Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson.
It will be without Bangweulu member of Parliament (PF) Chifita Matafwali, who died in India last month.
Chawama law-maker Lawrence Sichalwe (PF), who succeeded President Lungu in the constituency, will take his seat in the House, and so will Chisamba MP Moses Muteteka (MMD), who was recently pardoned.
Hitherto, MMD MPs for Senga Hill Kapembwa Simbao and his Masaiti counterpart Michael Katambo are expected to return to the House on the PF ticket.
The House will in due course receive three members from Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi constituencies after by-elections slated for June 30.
campaign posters were all over the conference ground during Rainbow’s general conference.
POLICE in Lusaka have arrested Rainbow Party member Tito Kashala, 30, for allegedly pointing a gun at a police officer.
The incident happened on Sunday night after an altercation between Mr Kashala and a police officer identified as Ramgom Chinena, 40, on Bishops Road in Kabulonga.
Lusaka Province commissioner of police Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday that Mr Kashala was arrested yesterday.
She said Mr Kashala, of Lusaka’s Chelston was driving a Toyota Altezza registration number ALZ 4099 when the incident happened.
“This Rainbow Party member, Tito Kashala, had an altercation with a police officer named Ramgom Chinena, 40, of Mtendere over the manner he [the police officer] was driving on the road and when he stopped, he brandished a gun and threatened to shoot the police officer,” Ms Katanga said.
She explained that Mr Kashala and Mr Chinena later resolved to report the matter to Kabulonga Police Post where police officers on duty explained that it is an offence to threaten to kill another person.
Ms Katanga said at this point, Mr Kashala bolted and left his vehicle.
She said Mr Kashala was yesterday summoned, detained and charged with threatening to kill a police officer.
“The gun has been confiscated for ballistic examination because police officers found empty cartridges in his vehicle.
“I wish to warn members of the public that it is a serious offence to threaten violence even if the act itself is not committed,” Ms Katanga said.
Nkandu Luo
Minister of Gender and Child Development Nkandu Luo has issued a stern warning against parents in Mafinga district of Muchinga province to desist from marrying off young girls.
Professor Luo issued the warning at Tendere in Mafinga District when she addressed women groups over the weekend.
She said the habit of marrying- off young girls aged between 12 and 15 years is a serious offence and denies the child the right to education.
Prof Luo lamented that many young girls in Mafinga district were married- off at a tender age even to polygamous men.
She said as a medical expert she knows that girls who get pregnant at a very tender age experience complications when delivering babies because the birth canal is not mature enough to deliver a birth safely.
Prof Luo is on a tour of sevens districts of Muchinga province on a sensitization campaign for women groups.
The controversial listing of MTN shares on the Lusaka Stock Exchange through Ikulileni Investments Plc has sensationally been pulled off after the share offer was under subscribed.
Ikulileni Investments Plc was tomorrow, June 16th 2015 set to debut on the LuSE with 11.9 percent of MTN shares but the offer has been shelved with only 24 hours to go before the actual listing.
The share offer was marred with controversy after it was discovered that some Directors in MTN such as Board Chairman Valentine Chitalu are also shareholders in Ikulileni Investments Plc.
It was further revealed that Ikulileni Investments Plc did not meet the listing rule of having a three year profitability history since it was only incorporated in October 2014 for purposes of creating a Special Purpose Vehicle for the MTN listing.
Market insiders have exclusively revealed that the Ikulileni Investments has been pulled off after the Initial Public Offer recorded low subscription.
The institutional investors who have bought shares on during the Initial Public Offer will now be refunded their money.
Pangaea Securities Ltd, the sponsoring broker is on Tuesday expected to release a statement in the newspapers explaining the sensational flop of the share offer.
A source said the negative response to the share offer has been blamed on bad press that the controversial listing had attracted through online and newspaper reports.
It is believed that MTN has lost close to K1 million in sponsoring the share offer and the entire transaction and will request government for a three year extension before it can consider coming directly to list on the exchange as part of the licence requirements.
George Lwandamina has named his 23-man provisional team for this weekends 2016 CHAN
qualifier against Namibia.
Zambia will be away in Windhoek this Saturday to play a first round, first leg qualifier.
The team includes a surprise and overdue debut call-up for veteran midfielder Buchizya Mfune who despite a promising career at Kitwe United before going to Green Buffaloes was never selected.
Red Arrows defender Bronson Chama has also been recalled and is one of four players with over ten year experience in the team together with Mfune, striker Winston Kalengo and Allan Mukuka.
Lwandamina has clearly gone for experience after Zambia’s failure to qualify for the second tier Africa Cup for home-based players in 2011 and 2014 following their bronze medal win in the inaugural tournament in 2009 hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
And unattached midfielder Lubambo Musonda who left Armenian club FC Ulisses two months ago halfway through a one year deal is also in the team.
The team, that has 11 players from the 2017 AFCON qualifiers call-ups, entered camp in Lusaka on Monday and will train from National Heroes Stadium.
Meanwhile,Namibia will host Zambia in the first leg on June 20 while the final leg will be played on July 4.
Winner will face Mozambique or Seychelles in the final round decider in October for a place at next years tournament in Rwanda.
Victor of the Zambia/Namibia game will be at home in the final round, first leg qualifier on October 17 while the final leg will be played a week later.
Team:
Goalkeepers:Danny Munyau (Red Arrows), Jacob Banda(Zesco United),Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco)
Nchanga Rangers striker Patson Daka says he is excited to have made his full Chipolopolo debut on Saturday when Zambia drew goalless with Guinea Bissau in a 2017 Africa Cup qualifier in Ndola.
Daka, 16, played over 70 minutes as Zambia kicked off the Africa Cup qualifying campaign at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The youngster started ahead of well established forwards like Ronald Kampamba, Emmanuel Mayuka and Bornwell Mwape.
“I am very honoured and humbled. It was a privilege for me to start the game. I just want to thank the coach (George Lwandamina) for having confidence in me and for believing in me,” Daka said.
He promised to do better in future games after failing to score in the game against Guinea Bissau.
“I was very disappointed not to score even though I had a chance to score. My job is to score and if I don’t score it means I haven’t worked for the team,” he addded.
This year alone, Daka has featured for the under-17,20 and 23 national teams.
He has also been named in the Zambia CHAN squad for upcoming qualifiers.
Daka is at Nchanga Rangers on loan from K-Stars Football Club of Lusaka.
Zambia coach George Lwandamina has given his 100 per cent backing to striker Patson Daka after the prospect misfired in Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
The Zambia junior international was a surprise starter in the 0-0 draw in which he failed to aim a single shot on target in the 68 minutes he was on the pitch before he was replaced by Fwayo Tembo.
Lwandamina insisted that pint-size Daka enjoyed a physical presence against Bissau’s clearly bigger and imposing defenders.
“He is a striker and he has done well at youth level and all what we need is to encourage the boy,” Lwandamina said.
“He has all what it takes to be a good striker.
Daka has yet to score for his club Nchanga Rangers this season but has one goal from the 2015 CAF U17 Cup in February.
“If you saw, they were huge at the back and he happened to be the only one who had the height so thats why we had to play the ball to him,” Lwandamina said.
“I know you may refer to other strikers that we had at our disposal, they are coming from injuries and have not played competitive game. So he is the only one who is playing actively.”
Lwandamina had unused substitute Ronald Kampamba on his bench who has been a regular at Egyptian club Wadi Degla.
Emmanuel Mayuka who has just returned from a six month injury was not picked for the final 18 despite making his return to competitive action as a second half substitute in the June 8 friendly against Ethiopia that Zambia won 1-0 in Honour Janza’s final match.
