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Former President Rupiah Banda and former MMD Petauke Member of Parliament Dora Siliya campaign for PF Presidential Candidate Edgar Lungu at a PF rally in Petauke
FORMER MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has applied to recontest the Petauke Central parliamentary seat on the Patriotic Front (PF) ticket.
The only other applicant for the seat as a PF candidate so far is Elias Banda, popularly known as “Eli Boma”.
Ms Siliya declined to comment on the matter but assured that she would issue a comprehensive statement by tomorrow.
But PF chairperson for elections Emmanuel Mpakata confirmed that Ms Siliya and Mr Banda had lodged their applications.
“So far, these two are the only ones who have expressed interest to stand on our party ticket. Applications are open until May 14, 2015. Thereafter, lower organs will scrutinise the applicants then make recommendations to the Central Committee. Mr Banda is our faithful member but we have also welcomed Ms Siliya since the party needs new members to help it grow,” Mr Mpakata said in a telephone interview from Mungwi.
In 2013, PF adopted Mr Leonard Banda after he successfully petitioned Ms Siliya’s election.
Mr Mpakata said the PF-adopted candidate for Mulobezi, Patricia Mulasikwanda, and Obed Shumba for Malambo are likely to contest the seats.
“But the Central Committee might decide to stick to them or consider fresh adoptions.
Chances for the PF to win the three seats previously held by opposition parties are very high since all factors on the ground seem to be in our favour and we are on course to penetrate opposition strongholds,” he said.
After the 2011 general elections, the Malambo and Mulobezi parliamentary seats were held by Maxwell Mwale (MMD) and Hastings Sililo of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
The Supreme Court last week upheld a High Court judgment to allow Ms Siliya, Mr Mwale and Mr Sililo to file nominations.
Government says it is in the process of reviewing the National Information and Communication Technology Policy of 2006 to make it respond to global modern trends.
Ministry of Transport, Communications, Works and Supply Permanent Secretary (PS) Charles Sipanje says government recognizes the role of ICT in the social and economic development of the nation.
Mr. Sipanje says government’s vision is to make Zambia a prosperous ICT-driven society.
The PS said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s Assistant Director Milner Makuni, during the Southern Africa 2015 ICT Summit dubbed, “Harnessing the power of ICT” organised by Cyber Africa Security.
He said government is determined to improve the livelihoods of the Zambian people by ensuring the availability of accessible, efficient, reliable and affordable ICT services by putting in measures through the national policy.
On curbing cybercrimes, the Permanent Secretary disclosed that government has constituted a Computer Incident Team which is working closely with the Forensic Department of the Zambia Police Service in the key sectors of the economy among them banking sector.
Mr. Sipanje challenged those in the ICT industry to sensitize the people on cybercrime as the vice had no physical boundaries.
And speaking earlier, Security and Web Fraud Expert Kevin Mckerr expressed concern over the rampant hacking of ICT systems in the banking sector.
Mr. McKerr said Zambia has not been spared from this vice as some customers, have had their personal data allegedly tampered with including their monies kept in financial institutions.
Shopping in Lusaka
Zambia’s annual rate of inflation has been maintained at 7.2 percent for a period of two months.
This is according to the measurement by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as captured in March and April, 2015.
Central Statistical Office (CSO) acting Director Daniel Daka told journalists in Lusaka today during a press briefing of the CSO monthly bullet.
Mr. Daka said food and non-alcoholic beverage products accounted for 3.7 percent while non-food products accounted for 3.5 percent as depicted in its CPI for this month.
He further disclosed that the price of a 25 kilogram bag of mealie-meal nationally decreased by 1.2 percent from K70.61 to K69.74.
He added that the price of roller mealie-meal of the same quantity also decreased by 1.9 percent from K53.93 to K52.89 during the one-month period under review.
Mr. Daka however, said the price of 1 kg dried Siavonga kapenta increased by a minimal 0.7 percent from K109.42 to K110.19 respectively.
President Edgar Lungu with President Robert Mugabe after 4hours official talks at Harare Statehouse in Zimbabwe on Friday 06-02-2015 PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has resolved to support all measures the South African government has put in place to stop xenophobic attacks in that country.
SADC Chairperson Robert Mugabe said at the end of a one day regional bloc summit that member countries should not politicise the attacks but should instead be tolerant and help the South African government find a solution.
Mr. Mugabe said the government of South Africa had already put up
measures to sensitise local people against fighting foreigners living
in that country.
He said security has also been tightened in order to protect non-South Africans living there.
Mr Mugabe has meanwhile said SADC member countries should discourage their citizens from migrating to South Africa while those that are already there should be encouraged to return to their countries.
Yesterday, the Malawian government, whose people are the most affected by the xenophobic attacks, sent about 24 buses to repatriate its citizens from South Africa.
President Edgar Lungu addresses Zambian’s leaving in Zimbabwe at the Zambia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe’s resident in Harare on April 29,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu has challenged Zambian engineers to take a leading role in driving the development agenda of the nation.
President Lungu said this in Livinstone today during the 5th Engineers Without Borders (EWB) conference annual general meeting in a speech read for him by Vice President Inonge Wina.
The conference is being held under the auspices of the Southern African Federation of Engineering Organisation (SAFEO).
The theme of the conference is “engineering knowledge creation, sharing and collaboration”
President Lungu has urged engineers to use their profession to find solutions in improving the lives of the people.
The Head of State said a lot needs to be done to change the landscape of the country and that engineers were better placed to do that.
He said prosperity in the 21st Century was dependent and driven on science and technology.
President Lungu said there is need to change mindsets if science and technology is to be advanced.
He said the major areas that engineers could tackle are poor road infrastructure, power supply and lack of fresh and clean drinking water.
President Lungu has however reaffirmed government’s commitment to the principle value systems of engineering.
He said government will seek to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics so as to contribute to a better success in engineering.
And Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) President Bernard Chiwala said the engineers will endeavor to work with the government on many projects.
Mr. Chiwala said the collaboration of engineers fuels creation of knowledge and advanced technology.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu with Zimbabwe’s Foreign affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi at Harare International Airport shortly before departure for Bulawayo where he will officially open the Zimbabwe Trade Fair on April 30,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu says Zambia exported goods and services into Zimbabwe exceeded US$1.3 billion in a period of four years while imports from Zimbabwe into Zambia over the same period were above US$486 million in terms of trade and investments.
Opening the 56th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo dubbed, “stimulating trade, seizing opportunities to accelerate growth,” President Lungu said relations between the two countries have strengthened from 2010 to 2014.
“Exports into Zimbabwe exceeded US$1.3bn while imports from Zimbabwe into Zambia over the same period were above US$486m. The trade and investment relations between the two countries have strengthened over the years from 2010 to 2014,” President Lungu said.
Mr. Lungu said, the two countries have witnessed private sector players from both countries investing in both Zimbabwe and Zambia in terms of investments.
Mr. Lungu said the 2015 Fair theme was befitting and timely as the two countries and the region are implementing reforms aimed at stimulating trade within the countries and across borders.
He said the trade fair should be viewed as a platform for organisations to interact, create business partnerships and promote trade and investment in Zimbabwe and the region.
He further disclosed that the fair has come at the time when Zimbabwe and Zambia need to seize the various business opportunities and accelerate economic growth, implementing measures aimed at ensuring that value addition to the various resources Zimbabwe and Zambia is endowed with.
The President said in terms of investments, Zambia and Zimbabwe which he termed as siamese twins have witnessed private sector players from both countries investing in the two countries.
Mr. Lungu reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the two countries enhance and stimulate trade in line with the trade fair’s theme.
Mr. Lungu directed Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe to closely work with her Zimbabwean counterpart to ensure that the Victoria Falls – Livingstone one-stop border post which was opened during the 2013 United Nations World Trade Organisation is operationalized.
He urged border agencies to compliment the efforts of the private sector particularly the small and medium entrepreneurs and ensure that trade between the two countries flows smoothly and is uninterrupted.
“I would like to urge all our border agencies to compliment the efforts of our private sector, in particular, our small and medium entrepreneurs and ensure that trade between our two countries flows smoothly and uninterrupted,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu recollected that since time immemorial, Zimbabwe and Zambia have worked together in the implementation of some important projects such as the construction and management of the Kariba dam, the establishment of the first of its kind in Africa Chirundu border one-stop border post among others.
Mr. Lungu commended the board, management and staff of the 56th ZITF for making this year’s fair is a great success.
He paid tribute to President Robert Mugabe for inviting him to grace the 56 edition of ZITF and for the strides that country has made not only in the economic fields, but also in other human endeavours.
Whilst in Zimbabwe, President Lungu attended the extra– ordinary SADC summit whose main objective was to put the region’s industrialisation and development agenda at the centre in order to deepen and broaden productive capacities and enhance competitiveness.
This is the second official engagement the Zambian Head of state has made since assuming office in January this year.
President Lungu is accompanied to Zimbabwe by his wife, the First Lady Esther, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, his Spokesperson Amos Chanda, Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe and other senior government officials.
He is expected back home this afternoon.
Collins Mbesuma quietly went about his business in South Africa on Wednesday after scoring his six goal of the season.
The forgotten Zambia striker scored one goal in 11th placed Mpumalanga Black Aces 2-2 away draw with Polokwane City in a mid-table clash with three games left to play.
Mbesuma played the full 90 minutes while his compatriot Joseph Musonda was on the bench for Polokwane.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was on the bench in Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 home loss to their successors Kaizer Chiefs.
Midfielder Mukuka Mulenga played the opening 87 minutes for Bloemfontein Celtic in their 2-1 away win at Chippa United.
Power Dynamos hopes of ending their four-match derby winless run have been hit with news that striker Jimmy Ndhlovu is ineligible to feature against Nkana.
Ndhlovu is in his second season on loan at Power from Nkana after dumping the 12-time champions last February as their embarked on their 2014 CAF Champions League campaign.
A new clause in the extended deal bars Ndhlovu from playing in a Kitwe derby.
Ndhlovu, though, did play in both legs of the 2014 derbies but did not score a goal.
The striker has scored four league goals for Power so far this season and is also setting the pace on the top scorers charts after six rounds of games played.
His absence is not good news for Power who are already without their top scorer in all-competition this season Alex Ngonga with five goals who is still trying to tie-up a deal with CF Mounana of Gabon.
Ngonga has scored a league and cup goal on top of the three in continental action.
The development has left Power coach Tennant Chilumba to bank on Ignatius Lwipa as the next best potent striker in his arsenal right now.
Lwipa, who usually comes on as a substitute, has one goal that he scored in Week 2 on March 21 in a 3-0 home win over Lusaka Dynamos.
Power have two draws and two defeats against Nkana and trace their last derby win to October 10, 2012 when they won 2-0 at Arthur Davies Stadium.
All those winless results have come in Chilumba reign.
A 37- year – old man of Nambanda village in chief Namutwi’s area in Mongu District of Western Province has been stabbed to death with a knife by his son.
Western Province Police Commissioner Stand well Lungu told ZANIS in an interview today that the incidence happened on 28th of April around 19: 00 hours and identified the deceased as Kamwengo Katongo.
Mr. Lungu said that Kayombo Liswaniso allegedly stabbed his father to death with a knife when he was separating the deceased and his mother who were fighting.
Mr. Lungu explained that while fighting, Kayombo’s mother got a knife that she allegedly wanted to use on her husband and when the son noticed, he quickly intercepted by grabbing the knife with force but that in the process accidentally stabbed his father.
He said that Kamwengo Katongo sustained a deep cut in the lower stomach and died around 20: 00 hours on the way to Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu.
The Western Province Police Commissioner further said that the body of the deceased is lying in Lewanika General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem and burial while Kayombo Liswaniso is on the run.
Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Miles Sampa at the launch of the AWANGO containers
Lafarge and Total yesterday launched dual branded containers which will be stationed at Total Zambia fuel stations and will be selling solar lamps and cement.
The lamps which are known as Awango have a two hour sunlight recharge and can last up to 48 hours and are famed as safe alternative to candles and electric light bulbs.The micro solar lamps are also equipped with a phone charging capability.
Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Miles Sampa launched the new product yesterday in Lusaka.
“When I was informed of this initiative I was happy to see that private companies are working in complementing Government efforts to serve the customers interest in the trade industry.This container will not only allow the public to easily access the product in an easy and safe way but will also create additional employment to people who will be selling in these stores,” he said.
Mr Sampa said he was informed that the aim of the Lafarge and Total partnership was to provide the market in Zambia with building materials whilst making it sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“Government’s focus is on the local market development, tax policy, consumer preferences, standardization and quality assurance and protection of local manufacturing from unfair trading practices. These actions will help create a business friendly environment to allow private partnership and other business to succeed in the country,” he said.
Lafarge chief executive officer, Emmanuel Rigaux said at the launch that Total Zambia and Lafarge cooperated together to jointly develop the container to improve proximity to the customers of key products which were critical for sustainable development.
“In Zambia, there exists huge potential for the development of renewable energy sources such as solar. What our partnership does with Total Zambia is allow low income communities to meet some of their basic everyday needs by introducing “Awango by Total”, a line of innovative reliable solar lighting and phone charging solutions,” he said. Mr Rigaux said 10 dual branded containers would be distributed across the country to make cement accessible in Zambia’s rural areas.
Total managing director, Damien Ricour said Total group was striving to enhance its position as an energy provider by being committed to “Better Energy”. He said the implementation of these dual branded containers supported the company’s ambition to provide access to energy to the whole of Zambia.
“The Awango by Total range of solar lamps which will be sold in the container is designed to supplement this aim by providing reliable low cost lighting and phone charging solutions to communities that have no access or little access to electricity.
At the same time, these stores will also provide the public with easy access to a wide range of building material manufactured by Lafarge,” he said.
Mr Ricour said Total Zambia together with Lafarge, had a growth strategy in Zambia to support and be a part of the impressive growth and development of Zambia.
File:SACCORD Executive director Boniface Chembe captured in the audience during the presidential debate
The Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolutions and Dispute (SACCORD) says the secret to addressing the high unemployment and poverty levels in the country lies in enacting a new constitution.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Chembe said the lack of jobs and poverty are some of the contributors to conflicts in most countries.Mr. Chembe noted that it is also easy to maintain peace and order if people have jobs and are able to afford the basic commodities of life.
Mr Chembe said that the exploitation of natural resources in many countries has lead to many conflicts because people feel they do not benefited from such resources.He said that as long as there is poor governance when it comes to mineral resources; it is easy for conflicts to spring up.
Mr Cheembe also noted the need for the country to go beyond the mining of minerals by adding value to the minerals in order to create employment for the people of Zambia.
First ever multi-million kwacha shopping mall in Mongu construction works are progressing well. The works are scheduled to be completed in January 2016 by Velos Enterprises Limited of Lusaka which has employed over 40 local people.
1.
Police in Kasama last night fought running battles with TAZARA residents who rioted and looted a shop belonging to business man who they accused of killing his employee using rituals to boost his business.
Northern Province Police Deputy Commissioner Alfred Nawa has confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Kasama today.
He said the named businessman who runs a shop at TAZARA market was on his way to Mazabuka with his employees when the vehicle they were travelling in got involved in an accident killing the later on the spot.
Mr. Nawa said the death of the employee angered the residents who attributed his death to his boss whom they accused of deliberately causing the accident through rituals in order to boost his business.
He said upon learning of the news of the accident, the irate residents then swiftly organized themselves and looted the businessman’s shop and destroyed property worth thousands of Kwacha.
The angered residents were only dispersed by riot police who rushed to the scene and fired teargas canisters at the protesting crowd.
Mr Nawa said calm has since been restored to TAZARA market.
He said no arrests have been made but that police have since instituted investigations to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
File:Construction workers doing final touches to the inside building of the new international bus terminus in Livingstone
For many years now, Zambian workers have faced numerous challenges from casualization right through to the infringement of their basic rights, such as being denied the right to representation and belong to a union. Too many workers are in jobs that cannot be classified as decent jobs. The primary cause of this is a lack of commitment from the Government, especially the PF Government, which has shown time and time again that they are not interested in the welfare of the worker and that they are not focused on improving the situation for the majority.
This lack of care by Government for Zambian workers has manifested in several ways, the first is the wage freeze amidst rising costs of living; the second is the use of intimidation as the case was with the nurses that were fired in 2012, the third is the fact that without consultation they revised the retirement age to 65 years, what life is left in a human being who retires at 65? Lastly there is an employment freeze in the public sector that has consigned many capable young men and woman to perpetual unemployment. Moreover, the failure by the PF Government to effectively manage the economy has led to limited opportunities not only for employment, but also for employment into decent jobs. As long as the PF presides over a struggling economy in which currency instability, power blackout and Government waste are common the situation will worsen.
The UPND believes in Zambian workers. Zambians have always been hardworking, determined and ambitious with a high resolve to address the challenges that face them. Our workers operate in difficult environments and conditions to keep this country moving forward. However, greed, gluttony and poor policy choices by the current Government have left many of our dedicated civil servants demoralised. Many of our hard working workers in the public service now look outside their day jobs to make the extra money to pay for housing, education and ever rising costs of food. This is grossly unfair and they deserve better.
There is very little to celebrate on Labour Day when people are paid low salaries amidst rising costs of living. Even this year’s Labour Day theme: “Promoting National Economic Growth through Job Creation, Free Collective Bargaining and Respect for the Workers’ Rights” is really a mockery as the opposite is what is actually happening. What the Zambian workers need is a salary that considers the rising costs of living, a clearly laid out retirement plan for them to enjoy the fruits of their labour when they retire and good working conditions that enable them to advance in their careers without heavy bureaucracy. Our workers expect government to devise consistent policies that minimizes the need to tax its people to fund poorly contracted loans. Our workers deserve career advancing training opportunities that will teach them modern skills to increase productivity and generate a sense of personal fulfilment.
As UPND, Labour Day will be the day to appreciation our workforce, paying our workers what they truly deserve and rewarding them for their service to this nation. To do this, our approach is as follows:
1. Lifting of the wage freeze and enhancing salaries for all public service workers to match the cost of living and leave enough for savings.
2. Lifting the employment freeze to reduce dependency on the few that are employed. This will lessen the burden of those already employed and create opportunities for the youths.
3. Reduce the retirement age to 55 years and ensure that all retirees get their retirement package on the last day of working. This will also facilitate career enhancement for many.
4. We will reduce unnecessary expenditures that will reduce the need to tax workers at current exorbitant rates.
5. We will create a professional civil service that will have access to Government initiated career enhancing acquisition of skills to increase productivity.
6. For our colleagues in the private sector, we shall have a labour friendly tax regime that will ensure that companies pay a LIVING wage, not to be confused with a MIMUMUM wage.
7. We shall not borrow for consumption; the current borrowing is fuelling high PAYE taxes as the Government struggles to pay back what we are borrowing because of poor investment choices.
Our hard working Zambians surely deserve better, and they need to be respected and rewarded on each day of their service to the nation. This is what the UPND believes in.
President Edgar Lungu greets Zambian’s living in Zimbabwe after he addressed them at the Zambia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe’s resident in Harare on April 29,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians living in Zimbabwe to register as voters and cast their vote in the next presidential election.Speaking when he met Zambians living in Zimbabwe at the residence of the Zambian High Commissioner in Harare last night, Mr. Lungu said Zambians living in Zimbabwe may be the most comfortable among citizens in the diaspora because of the good relations between the two countries.
President Lungu said Zambians will judge for themselves who was telling the truth among the country’s politicians regardless of how some media houses were trying to distort his message and destroy his character.He said Zambians always decide who should be their President based on their judgment.
President Edgar Lungu has also urged Zambians both at home and in the diaspora to ascribe value to the meaning of national symbols in order for them to enhance the traditional spirit of hard work and unity in the country.He said the meaning of the national flag, coat of arms, the ’One Zambia, One Nation’ slogan and the national anthem were important for rejuvenating the idea of unity and hard work among Zambians.He said the words in the verses of the national anthem should be understood by every Zambian and applied accordingly.
“When we sing our national anthem, we say, ‘one land and one nation is our cry, dignity and peace,’ all those words mean a lot to me and I think they should mean a lot to you as well,” he said.
President Lungu noted that unfortunately, many Zambians do not even understand the words in the national anthem, let alone knowing how to sing it.“Find time to reflect on those words, they mean a lot. When we talk about land of work and joy in unity, it means we must work hard,” he emphasized.
Earlier, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Zimbabwe Ndiyoi Mutiti said President Lungu has already started fulfilling his campaign promises of caring for the Zambian people wherever they are.
Mrs. Mutiti disclosed that the Zambian community in Zimbabwe was confident that the President would steer the country to greater heights in terms of economic development.She also told the President that bilateral relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe have remained cordial adding that trade between the two countries had increased.
“For example, Zimbabwe imports a lot of maize from Zambia as and when the window of importing is available,” she said.
Mrs. Mutiti further said the embassy in Zimbabwe was working tirelessly to enhance trade and other relations between Zambia and that country.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mutiti said Zambians in Zimbabwe were well behaved as they were law abiding and committed to promoting national events in their country of residence.
And First Lady Esther Lungu was pleased that Zambians in Zimbabwe have behaved themselves in a dignified manner hence the comfort they were enjoying in that country.
And in a vote of thanks, former Bank of Zambia Governor, Caleb Fundanga, said President Lungu’s attendance of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) extra ordinary summit was important especially that it was focusing on industrialization.
Dr. Fundanga, who now lives in Zimbabwe, pointed out that the industrialization agenda was key to the creation of quality jobs and fighting poverty.
He also said Zambians in Zimbabwe were happy with the way Mr. Lungu has embraced the bilateral relations with Zimbabwe, which he described as a very important friend.
