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Tourism and arts Minister, Jean Kapata, joins the majorrets as they showcase their skills during this year’s youth day celebrations at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in kabwe
Government says it will continue to create job opportunities for artists in order to revamp the sector.
Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata said government is working at ensuring that artists become self-reliant as they greatly contribute to the tourism sector through expressive arts and crafts.
The Minister was speaking during the Arts Exhibition held at Fairview Hotel in Lusaka last night which was aimed at showcasing various pieces of works by artists drawn from across Lusaka.
Ms Kapata said government has prioritised to develop the arts industry as a major source of income by employing over ninety-five thousand artists engaged in creative, visual and crafts work.
She said government has also set up cultural centres for display of artistic works in order to motivate and encourage artist.
UPND vice president for administration Canicius Banda
The Wife of United Party for National Development (UPND) Vice President Canisius Banda has died at University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
This is according to a statement released to the media by UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.
According to the statement, Mrs Alice Banda passed away last night at University Teaching Hospital.
Below is the full statement from UPND President
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
18TH APRIL 2015
Dear Colleagues,
We are saddened as party on the untimely death of Mrs. Alice Banda, the wife to our Party Vice-President Dr. Canisius Banda, who passed away last night at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
I have known Mrs. Banda as a pillar behind Dr. Banda and the entire family. Her sadden death is a huge tragedy not only to the Banda family, but to the entire UPND family and Zambia at large.
The sadden death once more reminds us that God’s plans are not really ours.
On behalf of the entire UPND family, and indeed on my own behalf, we join in mourning Mrs. Banda and call on the family to remain strong.
We wish, as a party, Dr. Banda God’s guidance during this tragic moment.
Those wishing to join in comforting Dr. Banda, the funeral is at House Number 22298/99 PHI, Lusaka.
COSAFA has condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa but stressed that the 2015 COSAFA Castle Cup to be held there will go ahead as scheduled next month.
South Africa has been hit by a wave of attacks against African migrants by locals over the last week.
COSAFA president Suketu Patel described the attacks as shameful.
“COSAFA is a zone of multicultural backgrounds and we fully condemn the shameful xenophobia we are seeing in South Africa. However, we stand firmly behind SAFA at this time and are looking forward to the COSAFA Cup 2015 as an opportunity for all countries in the region to come together in peace,” Patel said.
South Africa will host the 2015 COSAFA Cup in the North West Province from May 17-30.
COSAFA stated that they have been given reassurances by the provisional government that the host region has not been affected by the attacks but that they remain vigilant over the matter.
Defending COSAFA Cup champions Zambia will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage on May 27 after they were handed a preliminary round bye.
Zambia will face winner from Group A comprising of Namibia, The Seychelles, Mauritius and joint four-time champions Zimbabwe.
Let me take this opportunity to caution some opposition political leaders who are demeaning the role of the traditional leaders they play in the national development of the nation at all levels.
The opposition political leaders from various political parties should not criticize the Government anyhow unnecessary because their role is to provide checks and balances to the Government of the day which is the PF.
Traditional Chiefs are important to the economical and social development of Zambia and it is unacceptable for some selfish politicians who wants to gain the cheap political mileage by discrediting chiefs who are vital to the PF Government.
The opposition must help the Government to govern the citizens of the land by leaving the traditional leaders alone because they are not politicians and they are non partisan just like us the civil servants who serve in the interest of the public.
Let me advise the political players from the opposition arena that they should not bring the traditional Chiefs in their political battles because Chiefs represent the people from various sectors of the economy with or without any political inclination.
Some opposition political parties who are trying to mud sling the traditional chiefs dotted in different parts of the country should refrain from being lawlessness because the chiefs are essential to the development of the nation as the PF Government has recognised the importance of the Chiefs unlike in the previous regime.
The bitterness of the opposition political players should not be extended to the PF Government which has embraced all the traditional chiefs by empowering them with monthly salaries and other allowances which they never used to have access to before the PF came into power.
For the past 50 years since Zambia gained independence from the Britons in 1964 the chiefs were living in deplorable houses but the PF Government has come on board by constructing modern and acceptable palaces that makes chiefs to feel the sense of belonging in the country without any remorse.
Some opposition political parties are fighting the Government instead of providing solutions to the Government for the benefit of the citizens because the issue of dragging traditional Chiefs in the political atmosphere is not healthy…
As the District Commissioner of Kitwe am appealing to some opposition political parties who are frustrating Government’s efforts in improving the living standards of the traditional chiefs to resist from issuing careless statements in the media anyhow.
Chiefs should be respected by the opposition political stakeholders because the PF Government led by his Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to enhance the interests of the traditional chiefs because a nation without culture and traditional norms is a dead one…
Best regards Colleagues, Work well and GOD be with You Always.
Brand South Africa joins the rest of the country in condemning the acts of violence that have been levelled against some foreign national residing in some of the nine provinces of South Africa.
We assure all our partners in the continent that South Africa stands firmly against all intolerances such as racism, xenophobia, homophobia and sexism. As such security forces are hard at work around the clock to protect vulnerable communities in the country.The country remains true to its founding ethos that any problems or issues of concern by South African citizens must be resolved peacefully and through dialogue.
Brand South Africa assures our partners that South Africans are generally not xenophobic; this is attested to by the high number of foreign nationals who have been successfully integrated into communities all over our country, in towns, cities and villages.Preliminary work done towards resolving this current challenge indicates that the root causes are socio-economic issues that have been raised and are being attended to by all South African role players.
Brand South Africa expresses its sincere sympathies to the regrettable loss of lives and injuries suffered during this unfortunate occurrence.We are one Africa bound by many areas of commonalities and our spirit of UBUNTU (humanity – I am because you are) will prevail even under the trying circumstances.
President Edgar Lungu
PRESIDENT Lungu has urged Zambians to tone down on demonstrations against xenophobic attacks in South Africa because he is handling the issue at the highest level.
The President told Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) shortly before departure for Mpika yesterday that he is handling the matter.
“We are all concerned as Africans. Zambians are upset because they did a lot for the liberation of South Africa, particularly through the ANC. And I think we should sit down and reflect seriously,” President Lungu said.
Some Zambians have been planning to march in protest and to boycott South African products and services.
He said there should be something wrong somewhere in South Africa.
“When you talk about ‘One Zambia, One Nation, it is oneness. I think something has seriously gone wrong with the psyche of the South Africans who are behind all this,” President Lungu said.
He said Zambians must not get involved because there is sufficient leadership in South Africa to deal with the issue.
And President Lungu said he will not be distracted by his critics during the short period he has been in power.
“For me it is ‘sela tubombeko’ [give us way so that we work]” President Lungu said.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has expressed displeasure over the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, HILDAH MWAPE reports.
Mr Hichilema said in a statement yesterday that the South African government must act now to avert the attacks from spilling over to other countries.
Mr Hichilema said South Africans should dialogue with foreigners instead of treating them in a manner that can engulf the whole continent.
“The potential of retaliation is very high, but as peaceful Zambians, let us avoid retaliating to such attacks as much as possible,” Mr Hichilema said.
And CATHERINE MUMBA reports that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has applauded Zambia for embracing co-existence after years of hosting migrants and refugees.
UNHCR country representative Laura Lo Castro has also expressed sadness at the recent xenophobic attacks in some parts of South Africa.
Ms Lo Castro was speaking when she featured on ZNBC’s Morning Live programme.
DPP Mutembo Nchito
ATTORNEY General Likando Kalaluka yesterday told the tribunal appointed to investigate alleged professional misconduct and impropriety against suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito that the appointing authority has powers to adjust the terms of reference.
This was after Mr Nchito raised three preliminary issues when the sittings resumed and requested to address the tribunal.
But Mr Kalaluka said there is nothing wrong with the appointing authority adjusting the allegations in the tribunal terms of reference.
Mr Likando said the appointing authority has powers under Article 58 of the Zambian Constitution to make adjustments to the allegations which might be more or less.
He also argued that the tribunal should not grant Mr Nchito an application for an adjournment because the State is in a hurry to conclude the matter.
He, however, withdrew the objection to Mr Nchito’s application for an adjournment to enable him to study the copy of the amended terms of reference.
In his submission, Mr Nchito argued that former Chief Justices Mathews Ngulube and Ernest Sakala, who are tribunal members, should recuse themselves from sittings because of the alleged differences he had with them when they presided over some cases.
Mr Nchito also submitted that the investigations against him should be discontinued because the terms of reference raised by the appointing authority cannot guarantee his removal from office because the allegations do not conform to constitutional specifications under Article 58 (2) and (3).
Mr Nchito said a person holding the office of DPP can only be removed from office on the basis of incompetency, misbehaviour or infirmity of mind.
He also asked the tribunal to conduct the investigative proceedings in public.
Mr Justice Silungwe adjourned the sitting to next week Tuesday to enable the state to avail Mr Nchito with a copy of an addendum from the President so that he could study it.
The President appointed the tribunal to probe Mr Nchito as provided for under Article 58, sub-article (2) and (3) of the Constitution of Zambia.
President Lungu tasked the tribunal with eight terms of reference that include the probing of the alleged acts of impropriety by the DPP as alleged by members of the public and, among other things, recommend whether the DPP ought to be removed from office as a result of the allegations.
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Transport and Communication Minister Yafya Mukanga cuts the Ribbon to officially launch Road Maintenance Strategy 2015-2024 whilst his Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda looks on
Government has reduced the number of people to be recruited in the Zambia Police Service by a thousand this year.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Panji Kaunda says government has decided to reduce the number from the initial 1, 500 due to financial challenges.
The 500 recruits to be cruited as police officers is against a national deficit of about 80,000 police officers to provide security to the citizens and safeguard property.
ZANIS reports that Colonel Kaunda said this in Kapiri Mposhi when he paid a courtesy call on District Commissioner Beatrice Sikazwe yesterday.
The Deputy minister said government was however still committed to recruiting more police officers in view of the low staffing levels of police officers currently being experienced in the country.
He added that the recruitment exercise will be resumed once budgetary allocations are permissible.
The Deputy Minister also revealed that 400 individuals mostly school leavers will be recruited in the Prison Service this year.
“We were supposed to recruit 1, 500 people in the Zambia Police Service. But that number has been reduced to 500 while 400 individuals will be recruited in the Zambia Prison Service…
“ We would have loved to recruit more personnel in view of the low staffing levels in the Zambia Police but we have some financial challenge.” Col. Kaunda said.
Col Kaunda however said government was still committed to recruiting more personnel in order to address the staff deficit currently prevailing in the Zambia Police Service.
Meanwhile, Col Kaunda has revealed that government would construct 3, 600 housing units for the defence wings.
Col Kaunda said that government’s housing scheme was aimed at addressing the accommodation challenge that the men and women in uniforms were facing.
“I have a military background. I understand the needs of our officers in the Zambia Police Service and other defence wings. The Zambia Police is the point of defence.
“ And as government, we are committed to ensuring that we attend to the needs of our men and women in uniform… Government has initiated a housing scheme aimed at constructing 3, 600 houses for our officers. We are just waiting for approval from the treasury. We want to change the way of doing things and ensure that the Zambia Police Service becomes efficient.” said Col Kaunda.
Col Kanda observed that low staffing levels, inadequate accommodation and lack of reliable transport were the major challenges facing the Zambia Police and Prison Service adding that government was committed to addressing all these challenges currently being faced by the Zambia Police and Prison Service.
And Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Beatrice Sikazwe has bemoaned the low staffing levels in the Zambia Police Service in Kapiri Mposhi district.
Ms. Sikazwe explained that Kapiri Mposhi was a vast district that needed sufficient manpower in the Zambia Police Service in order to effectively curb crime noting that efforts to effectively curb crime in the area were being hampered by inadequate personnel of Police personnel.
She urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to train selected individuals in crime prevention and revive the neighbourhood watch committees in communities to enhance security in the country.
“The shortages in police personnel can be mitigated by the neighbourhood watch committees which proved to be an effective link between the community and the Zambia Police Service in the fighting crime in the past,” Ms. Sikazwe said.
And Ms. Sikazwe appealed to the Ministry to consider building prison facilities in Kapiri Mposhi district .
She said this was because the Zambia Police Service in the area was finding it difficult to look after convicts and criminal suspects due to inadequate holding cells.
The District Commissioner stated that it was taking long to ferry convicts to Kabwe district where prison facilities exist thereby putting a burden on the Zambia Police Service to feed individuals that have been convicted in the courts of law.
United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt Province says the just ended Masaiti parliamentary by-elections were free and fair, despite the party’s loss.
UPND Copperbelt Secretary told ZANIS that tribalism cannot come into play as about 20 per cent of the registered voters in Masaiti are not original Lambas.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kasongo alleged that despite the loss, the UPND is gaining supporters who are mostly from PF as can be seen from the recent voting pattern.
“As you can see from our performance in these elections, the competition is now just between UPND and PF and in constituencies where we used to get almost nothing we are now getting thousands with numbers still growing,” said Mr. Kasongo.
And Patriotic Front (PF) Copperbelt Secretary Amon Chisenga has thanked the people of Masaiti for accepting the PF by voting for Mr. Katambo as area MP.
Mr. Chisenga said the recent election victories clearly indicate that people have got confidence in the leadership of President Edgar Lungu.
Copperbelt UPND Provincial Secretary, Augustine Kasongo told ZANIS that except for some pockets of violence by PF cadres on UPND camp which was reported by the media, there was nothing much to complain about on the election process.
And Mr. Kasongo said the loss by the UPND is due to some advantages that the PF had over the UPND such as the fielding of a sitting candidate and it being the ruling party.
Mr. Kasongo also bemoaned the voter apathy that charactarised the just ended three by-elections in the country, adding that the Electoral Commission Of Zambia (ECZ) in Masaiti was forced to go around wards educating voters on the importance of voting.
And the Copperbelt PF Provincial Secretary has asked government to come up with a mobile voter registration programme to help address low voter turnouts.
PF candidate Michael Katambo, won the Masaiti parliamentary seat after polling 5,052 votes against his closest rival Peter Mumba of the UPND who polled 2,150 votes.
Mr Vincent Mwale Minister of Youth and Sports who is Acting Chief Government Spokesperson with Mr Amos Chanda Special assisstant to the President Presss and Public Relation -Picture By EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATEHOUSE.
Government has said it will not disregard any institution that supports and spearhead the progression of young people towards positive change in the country.
Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Mwale said government welcomes institutions that provide solutions to young people’s problems by engaging them long life skills.
Mr. Mwale was speaking at the launch of the 2015 Ten Outstanding Young People (TOYP) in Lusaka today.
He disclosed that his ministry has since formulated an action plan that seeks to empower young people in all development spheres.
He said the action plan simultaneously outlines youth challenges in a systematic and coherent approach.
Mr. Mwale said his ministry was also implementing programmes and interventions that were targeted at uplifting the standard of living for young people.
He commended the Junior Chambers International for coming up with a talent identification initiative which is aimed at benefiting the youths.
And Junior Chambers International vice president Shadi Izmiqna said his organization was ready to empower youths across the world.
Chishimba Kambwili
Government has dismissed as false and misleading online stories and a featured photograph suggesting that a Zambian has been killed in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says the stories and picture posted online are a total fabrication and should therefore be ignored with the contempt they deserve.
Mr. Kambwili who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister says Zambian authorities are in constant touch with the South African government and the Zambian Mission in Pretoria.
He says there is no single Zambian caught up in the xenophobic attacks, urging the media to be factual and objective in their reporting.
A picture depicting an injured and helpless man laying in a pool of blood has gone viral with accompanying stories suggesting that he is a Zambian killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The purported Zambian victim is clad in an orange jersey.
Former Copperbelt Police Chief Mary Tembo has been found with a case to answer by the Ndola Magistrate Court in a matter in which she is facing two counts of abuse of authority of office.
Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chisha passed the ruling today in Ndola stating that he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established against Ms Tembo on both charges after the prosecution closed its case.
Magistrate Chisha has since placed Tembo on her defence and has adjourned the matter to 28th and 29th June 2015 when Tembo is expected to open her defence.
Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono confirmed the development in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Ms Tembo was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on 13th November 2013, for two counts of abuse of authority of office contrary to Section 21 (1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
In the first count, it is alleged that Tembo, on dates unknown but between the 1stMay 2013 and 30th June 2013 abused the authority of her office as Commissioner of Police for the Copperbelt Province by obtaining a Toyota Corolla registration number AAX 5716 from Grizzly Mining Limited which she registered in her names thereby obtaining benefit for herself.
In the second count it is alleged that Tembo, on dates unknown but between the 1st November 2012 and the 31st December 2012 in Ndola, abused her authority of office as Commissioner of Police for the Copperbelt Province by asking Grizzly Mining Limited, a private company, to fix her personal vehicle namely, Toyota Cressida registration number F100.
Ms Tembo is alleged to have delivered the car to Grizzly Mining Limited company using public resources along with a Zambia Police Service vehicle while purporting that both vehicles belonged to the Police Service when in fact not.
In a related development, Mr Moono said the Kitwe Subordinate Court has found Allan Simumba, a Kitwe resident with a case to answer and has placed him on his defence in a matter he was arrested by the ACC and charged with one count of impersonating an ACC Officer and one count of extortion.
Magistrate Chipuma has set 10th June 2015 as the date for Simumba to commence his defence.
Zambia striker Bornwell Mwape is expected to be out of action for most of April for his struggling South African PSL club Amazulu.
Amazulu have stated that they will be without Mwape and defender Roscoe Pietersen services for the next two weeks.
“The only players who are injured at the moment are Bornwell Mwape and Roscoe Pietersen. I think they will not be available from one to two weeks but our medical team is hands on with their rehabilitation,” club manager Japhet Zwane said on Amazulu’s website.
Mwape missed relegation batting Amazulu’s 2-0 midweek win over Polokwane City due to the same injury.
The striker has scored six goals in all competition for third from bottom Amazulu since joining them last June from Nchanga Rangers.
Mwape is part of Honour Janza’s provisional 26-member team for next months Cosafa Castle Cup to be held in South Africa.
FAZ Super League leaders Choma Eagles on Saturday face Mufulira Wanderers away at Shinde Stadium hoping to maintain their stay at the top of the table.
There must not be room for errors by unbeaten Eagles as Nkwazi, Zesco United and Power Dynamos are slowly closing in on them.
Justin Chinama’s side enter Shinde Stadium leading the table with eight points, just one above second placed Nkwazi and two above Zesco who have two unplayed games.
On the other hand, Wanderers host Eagle attempting to recover from last Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Zesco.
“Mighty will put in their everything as they are coming from a loss and so we need to be cautious,” Chinama said.
Wanderers have six points after two wins and two losses.
Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe will host a double-header involving Nchanga Rangers,Lusaka Dynamos, Konkola Blades and Nkwazi.
Unbeaten Nchanga take on struggling Lusaka Dynamos in the 13h00 kickoff match before Konkola tackles Nkwazi at 15h00.
Nkwazi are coming from two consective wins as they face the Konkola test.
The Police club has beaten Nkana and Red Arrows prior to the match against Konkola in Chililabombwe.
In the Lusaka double-header set for Woodlands Stadium, Napsa Stars are hosting bottom placed Forest Rangers at 13h00.
Napsa coach Hector Chilombo whose team has endured a poor away record this season is banking on home advantage.
“We are at home so hope we will have home advantage,” Chilombo said.
Later at Woodlands Stadium, Green Buffaloes will clash against Zanaco in the big Lusaka derby at 15h00 to complete the capital city double-header.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Power Dynamos are visiting unpredictable Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka.
Power have made a perfect start to the campaign – winning their first two matches in which they have scored six times.
“We will face Nakambala like we have faced other teams,” said Power deputy coach Anderson Phiri.
Meanwhile, Nkana’s crunch home match against Zesco United has been pushed to Sunday to facilitate television coverage by SuperSport.
