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Zambia vice captain Nathan Sinkala will miss Friday’s Cosafa cup Plate final to get married.
Coach Honour Janza on Thursday gave Sinkala permission to leave camp to attend to his nuptials.
“Chipolopolo Vice Captain, Nathan Sinkala has been excused from national duty to allow him attend to family matters and will miss tomorrow’s COSAFA plate final against Malawi,” FAZ spokesperson said in a statement.
“Sinkala will this weekend have a traditional marriage blessing ceremony and as such has been excused from camp.”
Sinkala scored Zambia’s third goal in Wednesday’s Plate semifinal that Chipolopolo won 3-0.
The TP Mazembe midfielder who made his belated Cosafa Cup tournament debut on Wednesday scored his goal in the 41st minute before he was replaced by Paul Katema of Kabwe Warriors in the 85th minute.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has warned traders and consumers to stop trading in merchandise that are expired or defective.
Addressing Traders and Consumers at Mpika main market today , CCPC Senior Expert Patrick Chengo said it was unfair for traders to sell defective electronic gadgets or expired foods .
He explained that consumers who used expired food risk their health adding that some consumers may suffer from cancer.
Mr Chengo added that for those who use expired lotions ,soaps and other skin creams also risk their health as some may even get skin cancer.
He said under the competition and consumer protection act(CCPA) No 24 of 2010 it clearly states that unfair trading is an offense and traders can be prosecuted if they engaged in such wrong practices.
And Mpika education Board Secretary Annie Bwalya has thanked the CCPC for opening an office In Chinsali district of Muchinga Province.
Mrs Bwalya said the presence of the commission was key in highlighting unfair dealings between the traders and consumers.
Mrs Bwlaya also welcomed the introduction of CCPC clubs in secondary schools especially that pupils are taught business and entrepreneurship in schools.
File:Zambian compounds are fast becoming a dumping ground for old broken down Japanese cars
Government is in the process of introducing a maximum age limit for second-hand vehicles imported into the country to regulate the influx of old vehicles.
Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Richwell Siamunene said the legislation, which will put an age limit to the vehicles entering the country, has since reached an advanced stage.
Mr Siamunene, however, could not give more details on what the maximum age limit would be.He said this during the launch of auto loans by Standard Chartered Bank earlier this week aimed at providing motor vehicle loans to clients.
“The growing middle-class has resulted in an increase in the number of used motor vehicles being imported, but there is need to regulate the process to ensure quality and safety,” he said.
The motor vehicle population in Zambia, which is increasing at the rate of 45,000 annually has about 650, 000 motor vehicles, of which used vehicles account for 60 percent.
Mr Siamunene said, “We have witnessed an increased vehicle population on our roads. Unfortunately for our economy, used vehicle imports account for over 60 percent of the vehicle population.”
He said financing options and other alternatives for acquisition of new motor vehicles are necessary if, the importation of second hand vehicles is to reduce in the country.
“The Standard Chartered Bank auto loan product will not only better serve Zambian clients and empower them with a wider choice of affordable financing, but also demonstrate that our economy is moving in the right direction,” he said.
Mr Siamunene said Government will ensure that the business environment remains conducive to boost growth which will further grow the middle class.He said the establishment of the Credit Reference Bureau will also go a long way in reducing risks associated with bad debt.
Earlier, Standard Chartered Bank global head of client segments Euan Campbell said the six-year tenure will make new vehicle ownership affordable for many clients.
Former Luapula Province Minister in the MMD government Besa Chimbaka has advised Government to improve the drying water sources in the out laying areas of Mansa district.
Mr. Chimbaka who is also former Bahati member of parliament on the Patriotic Front Ticket when the PF was in the opposition told ZANIS in Mansa that he has gone round Mansa water sources and observed that due to the poor rainfall, the sources will soon run dry and that remedial measures should be taken now to prevent a water shortage in the area.
The former law maker said once water sources run dry, both human population and livestock in the district will be negatively affected.
He explained that so far, many people living around his farm have been queuing up for water from his borehole, a situation which has come about because of water sources in their respective areas and villages drying up.
The former Minister said the Office of the Vice President through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit should quickly be notified about the situation so that plans to avert the water disaster for the provincial capital and out laying areas could be put in place.
He proposed that if resources are made available, the water sources which include boreholes and wells in densely populated areas and villages could be deepened to enable the steady flow of water to meet the needs of the people.
Mr. Chimbaka added that the deepening of the available and existing water sources is important for ensuring that people have access to clean and safe water within reasonable distances and save on their time and energy which currently they were expending on covering distance to access water.
He said lack of water for the people increases their exposure to water borne diseases which should be prevented by ensuring that the water sources have enough water supply throughout the year.
Luapula Water and Sewerage Company representative Frederick Chiwaya could not be reached for a comment by Press time.
A 30-year- old man of Katongo village in Kasama district has been burnt by his wife after a marital dispute.The victims uncle Victor Simukonda confirmed the incident.
Mr. Simukonda said his nephew Frank Mwamba is admitted to Kasama General Hospital where he is nursing serious injuries.
And speaking from his bed in hospital, Frank Mwamba narrated that the incident happened on Sunday evening after the him and his wife came back from a drinking spree.
Mr. Mwamba revealed that the two left the drinking place and went home where his wife poured hot water on him while he was sleeping after a quarrel.
He identified his wife as Rebecca Mutambo, who is on the run.Mr. Mwamba has since appealed to the police to arrest and punish his wife.
He said the family has failed to deal with the case on its own as it was gender based violence.
The government has spent over K1.8 million on infrastructure development in the education sector in Nchelenge district of Luapula Province.
Nchelenge District Education Standards Officer Mark Kasongo said the government through the Ministry of Education allocated K1,822,090 to the district for infrastructure development.
Mr. Kasongo said the whole amount has since been disbursed through the district account and that the six beneficiary schools have already accessed the money.
Mr. Kasongo identified the recipient schools as Matola which received K240,000.00, Kalilanshindo and Kapema primary schools that got K 110, 000 and K 430, 000 respectively.
He said the rest are Kabeke Primary School on Mweru Lake that was funded to the tune of K133,000, Munsa and Mweru Junior Secondary Schools that received K306,082 each for the construction of a 1 by 3 classroom block and two staff houses.
He said the construction works at Kapema have been completed despite the negative attitude by the community towards the provision of upfront materials.
Mr Kasongo said the works at Matola and Kalilanshindo that include the construction of a one by three classroom block and a teacher’s house respectively are both at roof level and progressing well.
He indicated that the physical structures, roofing and plastering have been done at the two institutions apart from painting.
Mr. Kasongo said the ongoing infrastructure projects will go a long way to mitigate the shortage of the learning space and improve the enrolment ratio among the pupils especially the girl child.
He further said the massive investments by the government into the education sector would improve the quality of service delivery because pupils and teachers alike would be motivated.
He observed that Kabeke primary school has been operating without any structure for a long time and that the construction of the one by two classroom block will for the first time accord pupils a chance to learn in a favorable environment.
Mr Kasongo added that the development will enable Kabeke Primary School to acquire the examination center status and reduce on the distance the pupils cover to Chinsamba Primary School about seven kilo meters to sit for examinations.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema interacts with residents in Marapodi township
Marapodi residents of Lusaka’s Mandevu Constituency yesterday complained about the poor road network and drainage system in the area.
This was when UPND President Hakainde Hichilema continued his countrywide community tours of thanking voters and meeting UPND officials.
Some residents also regreted their voting decisions last elections and asked for forgiveness from Mr. Hichilema.
And Mr. Hichilema, who toured Chifundo Market where he admired some sofas, chairs, and other carpentry products proposed setting up of a small loan scheme for small businesses in Zambia to make them grow and create employment opportunities for more youths in Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema also called for soft loan schemes for women and youths to venture into productive business opportunities and make them suppliers to government departments.
And the Apostle Faith group of Mandevu complained about the difficulties they were having to get NRCs for their children because they do not have birth certificates.
They said their faith encourages women to give birth in their homes as a result they don’t get birth certificates.
The Mandevu residents also complained of the high cost of living in the country.
And in a meeting with UPND party officials in Mandevu Constituency’s Justine Kabwe ward, Mr. Hichilema told them to work hard and embrace every Zambian so as to liberate the country from economic mess.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema interacts with marketeers in Marapodi townshipUPND president Hakainde Hichilema interacts with residents in Marapodi townshipUPND president Hakainde Hichilema interacts with marketeers in Marapodi townshipUPND president Hakainde Hichilema greets women from the Apostle Faith group of MandevuUPND president Hakainde Hichilema greets women from the Apostle Faith group of Mandevu
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Issued by: UPND National Campaign Centre, Lusaka
Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata has charged that Zambia will not bow down to pressure and reverse the decision to allow hunting of Big Cats.
Mrs Kapata said threats by international charity Lions Aid to report Zambia to the EU and the US for a possible ban of its tourism products are nonsensical.She said Zambia is a sovereign state that will make its own decisions in the best interest of its people.
Mrs Kapata said the decision is final and no amount of pressure from anyone will force the PF government to change its stance on the matter.
In an interview, Mrs Kapata wondered why people are putting pressure on Zambia when other countries have continued Big Cats hunting.
‘Zambia is a sovereign nation and our neighbouring nations have been doing Cat hunting and they are not talking about those countries. As Minister of Tourism, I know that those that are talking too much are the ones that lost the bid for hunting blocks and they have now gone to lobby NGOs so that hunting is stopped.I will not listen to such,’ she said.
She maintained that hunting of Big Cats has always been done in Zambia adding that the reason it was lifted was because there were no regulations.
‘Now we have the regulations, we are saying only hunt two and no hunting of young ones. So please, we are not going to be bow down to pressure from NGOs, we are doing it for the communities so that people can benefit from the resources.’
She said it is nonsensical to threaten that Zambian tourism products will be banned from the EU and US markets.
‘’Let them go ahead and report, that is all I can say, let them go ahead and petition us. We have nothing to do with that ourselves.’
She added, ‘We are not saying we are going to kill all Lions and Leopards. We did an aerial survey and we have more Lions and Leopards and we are only hunting those that are old that are out of the pride.’
South Africa paid $10?million (£6.52?million) in bribes to secure the 2010 World Cup and the cash was transferred via a Fifa account, according to the explosive full indictment against 14 current and former Fifa officials.
The money was paid to disgraced executives Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer, the United States Department of Justice alleges in a 164-page dossier detailing the charges that led to a raft of arrests in Zurich on Wednesday.
Warner, who handed himself in to police in Trinidad on Wednesday night, was also accused of soliciting and accepting bribes over the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup in France. But the indictment focused more on the award of the 2010 tournament, including an allegation that a separate cash payment in $10,000 (£6,520) stacks was collected from a hotel room in Paris from a high-ranking South African bid committee official.
It also said that the former Fifa vice-president Warner was offered $1?million (£652,000) by South Africa’s rival bidder Morocco but that Blazer learnt from his colleague that “high-ranking officials of Fifa, the South African government, and the South African bid committee, were prepared to arrange for the government of South Africa to pay $10?million to ‘support the African diaspora’
The indictment added: “Arrangements were thereafter made with Fifa officials to instead have the $10?million sent from Fifa – using funds that would otherwise have gone from Fifa to South Africa to support the World Cup – to CFU [Caribbean Football Union].
“In fact, on Jan 2, 2008, Jan 31, 2008 and March 7, 2008, a high-ranking Fifa official caused payments … totalling $10 million – to be wired from a Fifa account in Switzerland to a Bank of America correspondent account in New York … controlled by Jack Warner.” Blazer was paid $750,000 (£489,000) by Warner but never received the full amount of the $1?million promised. Blazer has pleaded guilty to 10 criminal charges and faces 10 years in jail.Warner, who faces 20 charges, has denied any wrongdoing.
One Muzo releases the video for “Nayenda” which raised a lot of questions among P Jay’s fans because of the lyrics on the hook “Ntawi Yafika Banzanga Nayenda“. In many music lovers minds was; “Did P Jay Predict His Death?”. Watch the video and comment what you think of it?
The appointment of 14 District Commissioners (DC) for Southern Province by His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu exhibits a sense of loss of direction in terms of the Country Economical situation. Zambia is currently faced with serious challenges economically and the President does not seem to be alive to the economical red light that is flashing.
No Direction
The biggest problem with the President Lungu is lack of clear governance and policy strategy on how to sort out the problems facing our Country. Since he came into power, President Lungu has not shown the country what he stands for (Governance) and where he is leading the Country (Policy direction). He is like a substitute who joins a match in the second half without a game plan. Such a player would hardly perform or be noticed by the spectators.
When the late President Chiluba (FTJ) took office in 1991, he immediately came out and told the nation what his game plan was – Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). He asked people to brace themselves for harsh times of Privatization to revamp the economy. The economy at that time was far worse than what we have at the moment but within a short time the gears of SAP were engaged and things started turning around.
When Mwanawasa came in, he also took us through his plan – “New Deal”. Mwanawasa wanted to curtail the corrupt deals cut in the selling of Companies during Chiluba rule, then get the best deals for Zambians. In no time, our economic ratings improved and we managed to clinch the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HPIC) deal.
President Rupiah Banda came in and got dazzled with power and brought back corruption. Instead of setting up a game plan, he enjoyed the flattery of the cadres and engaging corrupt companies brought to him by his son. He did not set an agenda for the Country which made him lose the elections in 2011 to President Sata.
President Sata came in and pronounced his over ambitious infrastructural development and fighting the corruption of President Banda’s rule. In no time, the Country was filled with dust of roads and other infrastructure contractions. Districts where created like villages with no headmen; Lawyers were busy cashing-in by defending RB and other former government officials.
[pullquote]Since 1991, State House has never been so busy with swearing-in ceremonies has it has been since President Lungu took office[/pullquote]
The point is not whether any of the policy direction taken by our former Presidents worked or not, but setting a Country to a particular goal which President Lungu has not done. Setting this up a strategic plan helps to make appropriate decisions and measure performance, among other things.
One wonders how President Lungu intends to reduce on the current budget deficit while the Finance Minister is still doing trials and errors on a number of policies.
Instead of fixing the current fiscal stress, the President is busy making unnecessary political appointment. Since 1991, State House has never been so busy with swearing-in ceremonies has it has been since President Lungu took office. Unfortunately these people are not going to work for free, rather they are going to increase on budget deficit.
Debt
At the time when we are supposed to be saving money to pay for the EUROBONDS and other maturing debts, the Government is still busy borrowing even on unnecessary expenditure such as security equipment. Zambia is very peaceful that buying of security equipment should not be a priority to borrow for, rather poverty levels should be the concern of the government.
Country is at total loss on how to create employment for our youths who are the majority of the population at about 52%.
Unemployment
On the supply side of employment, we have more than 250, 000 of graduates being offloaded on the market every year while on the demand side we have very little investment to absorb the job-seekers.
To make the situation more hopeless, most of our graduates are not fully skilled to take up the few jobs available, so the few skilled people keep changing jobs without retiring supported by the high retirement age
A lot of businesses are on the verge of collapsing due to lack of business because there are very few people with buying power.
Trade deficit
Recently Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) expressed concern on Zambia’s trade performance in the first quarter of 2015. CTPD revealed that the our Trade deficit shot up to by 189%, from ZMW 202.7 million in February 2015 to K310 million in March 2015. What are the quick remedies to curb such alarming situations?
While we are doing well in some agriculture produce our crop marketing is very disorganized with little or no value addition.
Mining
The Country is at loss on Mining policies and control triggering stress on our foreign exchange since copper is our major foreign earner.
Elections are coming next year but it is not too late, President Lungu can still devise his strategic plan which can take him into the elections and campaign on that. He (President Lungu) needs to get back to Mfwe with his think tanks then come out with a blue print which he should come and present to the citizens at a Press Conference, with The Zambian Voice invited.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) says Zambian Voice executive director Chilufya Tayali’s sudden change of heart on the K14 million Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) loan and the tribunal constituted to investigate suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito is not a coincidence but allegedly a scheme to sway the public from the allegations levelled against Mr Nchito.
PF vice-chairperson, media and publicity committee Sunday Chanda said Mr Tayali’s attacks on Mr Justices Annel Silungwe, Matthew Ngulube and Ernest Sakala are allegedly calculated and aimed at blackmailing the courts.
“Mr Tayali fought hard to be joined to the DBZ K14 million loan scandal in which High Court judge Nigel Mutuna ruled that Mr Nchito, his business partner Fred M’membe and Mr Nchima Nchito had obtained the loan by fraudulent misrepresentation.
“It is easy to construe that each time he (Mr Tayali) opens his mouth to speak, there is an invisible hand dictating to him what to say,” Mr Chanda said.
He said Mr Tayali should be reminded that Zambians will not rest until justice is done.
“Mr Tayali can, therefore, do some soul-searching because without sounding prophetic, a time is coming when Mr Tayali will reject his actions,” he said.
And the International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolution (IIDCR) has challenged Mr Tayali to swear an affidavit and prove allegations that former President Rupiah Banda is corrupt.
IIDCR president Tresford Chomba said it is unfair for Mr Tayali to defame people without providing evidence before relevant law enforcement agencies.
Mr Chomba said this in a letter dated May 27, 2015 addressed to Mr Tayali and availed to the Daily Mail yesterday.
“The IIDCR has taken keen interest in your recent revelations and continued insistence that former President Rupiah Banda is corrupt and a selfish man and that you are ready to prove the aforesaid allegations before the courts of law.
“Further, you have alleged that Mr Mutembo Nchito’s tribunal outcome was known and was merely set to fix our embattled Director of Public Prosecutions. You have also gone ahead to enjoin Richard Sakala, the proprietor of Daily Nation newspaper, as being behind the crafting of the aforesaid tribunal to fix the learned lawyer as the latter prosecuted him.
“You have also called for the recusal of justices Ngulube and Sakala for what you have termed to be bias,” the letter reads in part.
Mr Chomba said Mr Tayali should prove his allegations to enable the public to make informed decisions.
He said it is wrong for Mr Tayali to issue blatant statements in the media without substantiating his allegations.
President Edgar Lungu with Vice President Inonge Wina
VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina is today expected in Nigeria to attend the inauguration of President Muhammad Buhari.
Mr Buhari, a retired army general and former military Chief of State, will tomorrow be inaugurated as President of Nigeria, taking over from President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mrs Wina will represent President Lungu at the inauguration ceremony, which will be held at the Eagles Square in the capital, Abuja.
Zambia’s acting High Commissioner to Nigeria Maynard Misapa confirmed to ZANIS that Mrs Wina will be among several heads of state and government who will attend the ceremony.
Mr Misapa also said Mrs Wina is expected to attend a luncheon, dinner and gala night to be hosted by the Nigerian government.
Harry Kalaba, Jean Kapata and Mwimba Malama, Davies Mwila addressing the press
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba and his delegation have spent time in Los Angeles discussing potential investment and marketing Zambia’s conducive business climate.
The minister visited Preferred Freezer Services, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
At Preferred Freezer Services, a cold storage-based business with an international presence in China and Vietnam, Mr Kalaba encouraged the company to consider coming to Zambia and forge business partnerships.
He told directors at the firm that Zambia is centrally located and boasts of a wide market due to its membership to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Southern African Development Community and the Great Lakes Region.
The said Zambia seems to be at the epicentre of economic activities in Africa and is, therefore, the best place for investment for any company that wants to expand worldwide.
Preferred Freezer Services have been offering modern, full service temperature-controlled warehouses in the United States since 1989 and is the largest public refrigerated warehousing company in the world.
Sales manager Ron Viola told the minister that Preferred Freezer Services operates 35 facilities in nine regions within the US with more than 1,300 employees and close to US$200 million in sales. The firm has over 61 million cubic metres warehouse space.
“Our company was founded in New Jersey in 1989 and has expanded with an international presence in Shanghai, China, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam,” Mr Viola said.
And at Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Mr Kalaba said Zambia has continued on the path to economic development.
He told the board of advisors that Zambia acknowledges the importance of building and nurturing relationships with the county of Los Angeles.
Mr Kalaba also informed potential investors that Zambia is recognised as one of the most peaceful countries in the world.
“Government has identified key growth sectors and these are, agriculture, tourism, construction and manufacturing. These sectors have a high requirement for labour and a potential for employment creation,” he said adding that: “Zambia is seeking forming of synergies in areas with potential for employment creation.”
Mr Kalaba further said Zambia is the world’s eighth largest producer of copper, which accounts for 70 percent of export earnings.
He said copper is exported in its raw form and, therefore, the country is looking for investment that could bring value to the commodity.
He also appealed to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to consider twinning the county of LA with Lusaka.
Later, during a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, the minister said Zambia is diversifying and moving away from a copper-dependent economy.
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce president Gary Toebben thanked Mr Kalaba and his delegation for the visit.
Mr Toebben, who was impressed with Zambia’s profile, said there were a lot of US companies looking for investment opportunities.
He expressed hope that Zambia’s envoys in the US will make follow-ups with his company so as to build on and actualise some of the issues that were discussed.
