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Forgotten striker James Chamanga scored a brace on Sunday in what was a productive weekend for Zambian players abroad.
Chamanga’s two goals inspired Liaoning Whowin to a 3-0 win over Shanghai Shenxin.
In the Turkish second division, striker Jacob Mulenga scored a lone goal to help his team Adana Demirspor beat Giresunspor 1-0.
Mulenga and Chamanga joined defender Emmanuel Mbola who scored a goal in Hapoel Ra’anana home win on Saturday while striker Bornwell Mwape netted a brace to earn his South African PSL club Amazulu a 2-2 away draw on the same date.
Elsewhere, troubled forward Emmanuel Mayuka was benched when Southampton thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 in a Premier League match on Saturday.
Beston Chambeshi has praised his charges for beating archrivals Power Dynamos in the 2014 Barclays Cup quarterfinals.
Nkana beat Power 2-0 on Sunday in a last eight match played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
It was the first time the two sides had met in the competitions eight-year history.
“Beating Power Dynamos is always a nice feeling. You know Power is a big team,” Chambeshi said.
“I am happy with the way the boys played I am sure now we are moving in the right direction.”
Goals from Ronald Kampamba and Kelvin Mubanga in the 18th and 22nd minutes respectively handed Nkana the win and passage to the penultimate stage of the competition.
This is the first time Nkana have advanced to the Barclays Cup semifinals since 2011.
Nkana will in the semifinals join Konkola Blades, 2012 Barclays Cup winners Napsa Stars and record three-time champions Napsa Stars.
Forest Rangers bounced back to the top of the FAZ Division One North table after beating Ndola United 3-2 in the Ndola derby played at Musa Kasonka Stadium on Sunday.
A brace from Malar Besa and another goal by Joe Besa helped Forest to open a one point lead at the top of the table with 47 points from 26 games played.
Malar registered his double in the 65th and 72nd minutes while Joe was on the score-sheet after 48 minutes in this week 26 match.
United’s consolation goals came cutesy of Kunda Bwalya who found the back of the net in the 10th and 70th minutes.
Elsewhere, Chambishi dropped into second place on the ladder after forcing a goalless draw against revived Lime Hotspurs in Chambishi.
Chambishi are now one point behind leaders Forest.
Kalulushi Modern Stars thumped visiting Nkwiza 2-0 at Independence Stadium in Kalulushi to climb into third position on the log.
Mike Katiba handed Kalulushi a 13th minute lead before Moses Nyambe sealed the Week 26 win sixteen minutes before full time.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Justice Irene Mambilima says adjusting electoral boundaries was of priority concern to the Electoral body.
Justice Mambilima says this was to ensure that all the new districts have at least one constituency.
Justice Mambilima said the delimitation process will also help realign the boundaries of wards and constituencies that have been affected by the creation of new districts.
She was speaking in a speech read on her behalf by Mwandi District Electoral Officer Nelson Shikela at the official opening of a delimitation workshop held at Mwandi Basic Resource Centre.
Justice Mambilima said the establishment of the new districts has brought about scenarios that the commission would need to address as it prepares for the 2016 tripartite elections.
She noted that the current delimitation exercise which involves stakeholders will review the existing wards and polling district boundaries and further see the creation of new wards and polling districts.
Justice Mambilima stated that the exercise has been necessitated by several factors which included long distances that voters are required to cover during voter registration and elections.
She also noted that by creating new polling stations ,the commission would ensure that distances are reduced between polling stations and hence making it easier for the electorate to access polling stations.
Justice Mambilima further said that the delimitation exercise had also been necessitated by the national voter population increase.
She added that the last delimitation exercise which was done in 2015 had a population of 5.5 million eligible voters which had risen to about 7 million in 2014.
The ECZ chairperson stated that the commission had also established that some of the polling stations were located in places not convenient for conducting elections and that the exercise will therefore involve relocation of polling stations to more suitable areas.
Justice Mambilima further emphasized that the Commission will only be able to effect the delimitation of new council wards after the ministry of local government issues the statutory instrument to legalize the new wards in accordance with section 9(2) of the local government ACT CAP 281.
She however stated that the current delimitation exercise would not include the creation of more constituencies because the current constitution only provides for 150 constituencies.
The Insurance Association of Zambia has lamented the continued low levels of insurance in the country and has called for interventions so as to improve the culture.
Speaking at a press briefing this morning IAZ president Shepango Muteto said the Association laments the current insurance culture in the country and his association will continue to come with interventions that will help improve the situation.
He noted the need for the public to be educated on the importance of taking up insurance policies so as to protect themselves in case of a disaster.
“We have continued to lament over the low insurance culture in this country. We believe that through interventions such as the insurance week, we will help sensitize the public on the importance of this service.
“We want to ensure that we engage the public as much as possible especially through our association, which is a neutral and common body speaking on behalf of the insurers and reinsurers so that we listen to the challenges that our people have when it comes to taking out insurance.” Mr. Muteto said.
He added that the association cherishes the role they play in society through shielding and protecting consumers from financial loses which he said, was the cornerstone of the insurance industry.
And Mr. Muteto has lauded government for its open door policy saying, “all our line ministries have been receptive to our massage on increasing insurance penetration in the country.
Meanwhile Mr. Muteto has challenged government to consider some of their submissions in the budget so as to increase insurance up take in the country.
The submissions include; tax incentives for Zambians who want to take out various life policies which the association says helps country as it protects the family when an individual takes life policy, removal of value added tax as it makes insurance expensive for ordinary citizens as well as introduction of compulsory group insurance for companies employing more 25 workers among others.
And speaking at the same function Pensions and Insurance Authority registrar Martin Libinga said access to services such as affordable insurance helps the development of the country as it contributes to inclusive growth, forster domestic resource mobilization and reduce vulnerability.
The association is this week holding the insurance week under theme “Insurance for All”.
MMD members lift high Victoria Kalima as they celebrate her victory of the Kasenengwa by-election at Chipata Municipal Council in Chipata
The southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has commended voters in Kasenengwa, Vubwi and Zambezi constituencies for electing women to represent their communities in parliament.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe notes that the election of women to parliament has contributed to correcting the grave imbalance that exists as regards women representation in parliament and councils across the country.
Mr. Cheembe further commends political parties for adopting women and has urged political parties to continue with the same spirit of adopting women candidates so as to ensure that more women are represented in decision making positions.
“The southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) would like to commend voters in Kasenengwa, Vubwi and Zambezi constituencies for electing women to represent their communities in parliament.
“The elections outcome does not only give political parties numbers but also contribute to correcting a grave imbalance that has existed in terms of women representation in parliament as well as councils across the country. SACCORD further commends political parties for adopting women candidates and would like to encourage parties that participate in elections to ensure that they give more women such opportunities so that more women can get into councils and parliament.”
Mr. Cheembe also commended the political parties for being peaceful during and after the campaigns which he says gave electorates conducive environment to freely choose their representative.
“We further commend political parties for being peaceful during and after the campaigns which resulted in a conducive environment for holding elections and giving the electorates a chance to freely choose their representatives.
“The peace that was experienced during these elections largely contributed to the positive results that women candidates recorded. We have noted that previous elections where there has been violence, the performance of women candidates has been negatively affected in that most of them are unable to free go and seek support.
“Despite the low voter turnout, we are encouraged by Zambians’ continued appreciation of the role they play in fostering democracy in the country. While there have been discouraging incidents in which voters felt that their votes do not count, Zambian voters have gone ahead in ensuring that they take part in elections and put leaders in positions to represent their communities.
“It now remains incumbent on all political parties to work towards voter mobilization whenever there are elections so that more voters take part in elections.”
Mr. Cheembe further urged government to ensure that future elections are as peaceful as the recent polls by promoting more dialogue and engagement with various political stakeholders so as to iron out challenges that continue to arise after elections such as the use of government resources.
“SACCORD would like to urge government to ensure that future elections remain peaceful by promoting more dialogue and engagement with various stakeholders in the electoral process.
“We note that the use of public resources has become rampant under the Patriotic Front an act which is a clear contravention of laws that govern elections. The use of these resources is a source of conflict as we noted during the Mangango by-election in which suspected government vehicles were damaged.”
Mr. Cheembe said this in a press statement released to the media today.
ormer President Rupiah Banda with Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga during Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in Katete
MMD President Nevers Mumba says he is not losing any sleep over heightened reports that former President Rupiah Banda is eyeing a comeback to politics.
Dr Mumba said he is not bothered by such reports describing them as mere rumours.
He said he has avoided commenting on such reports because he believes that the reports are mere rumours at this stage.
The MMD President however said the MMD will rely on the constitution for guidance if Mr Banda attempts to make a political comeback.
“The comforting thing is that the MMD is a well organised party with a clear constitution. If at all we have a situation like this, then the constitution is adequate to provide guidance on how we proceed. As far as I know I have a five year mandate to run the affairs of the MMD as provided for in the constitution,” Dr Mumba said.
Dr Mumba said the MMD is currently re-organising itself in readiness for the 2016 elections adding that the party leadership is preoccupied with that mission.
“We are really engrossed in ensuring that the party moves forward. We are not reading a lot into some of these rumours because we know what the constitution says and that is what we will follow.”
File:Alliance for Better Zambia president Father Frank Bwalya blows a whistle against the government’s refusal to release the Zambian draft constitution
The Opposition Alliance says the ruling Patriotic Front should not be carried away by its victories in the recent parliamentary by-elections that it will win the 2016 tripartite elections.
Alliance Coordinator Father Frank Bwalya told QFM News that the 2016 elections will be totally different from the by-elections, considering that the ruling party has an upper hand in by-elections.
Fr Bwalya said the opposition alliance comprising the MMD,Alliance for Better Zambia,Zambias for Empowerment and Development, People’s Party and All People’s Congress is comforted by the fact that the 2016 elections will be different and the ruling party will not enjoy the same advantage it enjoys during by-elections.
Fr Bwalya who is also ABZ President said the opposition alliance is therefore not worried by the dismal performance of its member the MMD in the just ended by-elections were the former ruling party only managed to return one seat of the four it previously held.
He stressed that in Zambia it is very difficult for the opposition to win by-elections as the ruling party tends to have an upper using the advantage of incumbency.
Father Bwalya said the Opposition Alliance will continue to continue mobilize ahead of the 2016 general elections.
Meanwhile Father Bwalya has expressed disappointment at President Michael Sata for branding the people who voted for the opposition in the just ended parliamentary by-elections as enemies of development and national unity.
Fr Bwalya said Mr Sata was President because many Zambians decided to vote for an opposition leader in 2011 and it was therefore unacceptable that just after three years in the presidency the Head of State could equate voting for the opposition to rejecting development.
‘In a multi-party democracy such as ours people should enjoy the freedom to vote for a candidate and party of their choice without being labeled as being against development. We are very disappointed that in toasting by-election victories yesterday President Sata chose to describe people who voted for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidates as having, made a clear choice against politics of hate and ill-will and having resolutely decided to vote for development,’ Fr Bwalya said.
Renowned Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa is expected to arrive in the country today on a four-day visit.
Archbishop Tutu will be in the country to support and encourage efforts to end child marriage.
Archbishop Tutu will visit Zambia in his capacity as a co-founder of Girls Not Brides, a global partnership of more than 400 Civil Society Organisations across the world.
According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Archbishop Tutu will be joined by Mabel van Oranje who is the Chairperson of Girls Not Brides, The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage.
The duo will be in the country to learn about the work underway to address child marriages and to share other country’s experiences on the same trend.
During their visit, Archbishop Tutu and Mabel van Oranje will meet Civil Society Organisations, Government Ministers, Youth Groups, Faith Leaders and Traditional Leaders.
Zambia has been grappling with the fight against Child Marriages with First Lady Christine Kaseba recently describing it as a calamity and called for concerted efforts to end the scourge.
File:President Michael Sata and First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the 2013 opening of parliament
Devotees and Skeptics of President Sata’s health status
As the minute and hour hands make their way around the clock in tick-tock sound, the waiting is long. It feels seemingly endless—hours become days and minutes hours. Still, all eyes are unblinkingly fixed on September 19, the day of reckoning. Every nation has consequential times. For Zambia 9/19 is one of them. Mkushi and Solwezi aside, on this day President Michael Sata will officially come out of a state of inactivity and metabolic despair, and prove to both “devotees” and “skeptics” that he is able to fully executive the duties bequeathed on him as head of state.
It is not the pomp and splendor that goes with the opening of parliament nor is it the accompanying speeches and the “nays” and “yeas” from backbenchers, but the “revivification” of the head of state, his incarnation, what George Mpombo calls a “dramatic come back.” His performance on this day is what is keeping the eyes of many on the clock as it ticks tick-tock.
“Devotees” and “Skeptics” have been at daggers drawn for three months. “Devotees” here refer to PF cadres, followers, adherents, supporters, family members, enthusiasts, fans, lovers, aficionados, zealots, and fanatics who believe the president is not ill and that he has been on a working holiday. They find nothing wrong with him going into hibernation for three months. In as far as they are concerned he will show up on 9/19, put up a stellar performance, and shame skeptics.
“Skeptics,” on the other hand, are Doubting Thomases, rivals, opponents, antagonists, cynics, doubters, truth seekers, and victims of the Sata regime who think the president is off-color and could expire any time. They believe he has made a covert pact with his confidants to keep his illness a secret. As a result, some of them speculate he has cancer, others think his heart problem is getting worse, while others are saying he just received a kidney transplant and is clinging to power in the hope he recovers. Even though he has been to Mkushi and Solwezi, they doubt he will show up on 9/19. If he does it will brief because he is still a patient.
As things stand, devotees are a notch ahead. Sata’s recent trips to Mkushi and Solwezi have vindicated them. They are relishing in the pictures showing their beloved leader clad in a charcoal Mao suit, disembarking from a chopper unaided, and greeting his supporters.
“We’ve been telling you the president is as fit as a fiddle,” they exclaim in unison. “You’ve seen and heard him, what else do you want?”
The devotees’ gratitude goes to Guy Scott, Joseph Katema, Mwansa Kapeya and other cabinet ministers who repeatedly informed the nation that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the president. They hail them as prudent and honorable men of candor and messengers of truth, and regard them as concierges of Zambia’s moral compass.
“You must listen to what our leaders are telling you,” Devotees are saying. “PF believes in nothing but the truth. President Sata is back and PF will be stronger than ever.”
Skeptics are shaking their heads. They too have seen the pictures. They see a president looking a little worse for wear. To them he still appears emaciated, frail and pale, in suits trimmed to petit size. They see flabby cheeks associated with illness and fleshless match-stick fingers. Some describe him as a “dead man walking.” Many are infuriated that devotees can’t see what they are seeing. They accuse them of being myopic and label them as “Sata’s indoctrinated sheep.”
One skeptic writes: “It is outrageous how when a ruler becomes accustomed to power he begins to treat his people like livestock. And like sheep they follow him to the slaughterhouse. Along the way he gouges their eyes out so they don’t see his naked acts. He sears their ears so they don’t hear him when he sneaks out into the darkness. He blindfolds them so they don’t see him when he is caught with his pants down.”
He continues: “President Michael Sata is the uncouth herdsman who in his usual selfish and demagogic style is trying to blind the entire nation and rob it of its evolution. And his vice Guy Scott is perpetuating it and so are Joseph Katema, Mwansa Kapeya, and other hollow cabinet ministers who barefacedly continue to feed 14 million people with blatant lies.”
He adds: “Yes, “lying” is the new culture. The PF men and women who are our leaders and role models of our children are lying through their teeth and betraying their very own oath. The games they are playing to safeguard their personal interests are paving way to the slaughterhouse. Our children are the sacrificial lambs here. They are beginning to think it is alright to lie. If the president, his vice, and cabinet ministers can so publicly mug the truth then there is absolutely nothing wrong with lying.”
“What nonsense!” Devotees respond. “What are you talking about you loser. What incapacitated person can walk around like the president did in Mkushi and Solwezi? You call that a lie? Just eat your humble pie. Sata is well, he is fit, and he is ready to take us into the second term. If you think he is going to perish, you are out of your mind. On September 19, we shall again prove you wrong. On that day, you will see a vibrant leader address his people. Again, you will tuck your silly tail between your legs, this time for good.”
Sata’s every move to be closely analysed
As the clock ticks tick-tock devotees can’t wait for 9/19, the day of reckoning. On this day, their leader Michael Sata will wake up as energetic and enthusiastic as ever. Regally dressed, both him and his wife will step out of State House into their bulletproof Mercedes Benz and begin the colorful trooping ceremony to Parliament Building. They will be sandwiched between a cavalry of horse mounted escorts moving at trot-pace. People lined up along Independence Avenue, Addis Ababa, and Great East Road will hardly see him through the tinted window. At best, they will only be able to see his hand as he flashes the PF fist. That is if he cares to lower the window.
At parliament gates, a curious charged crowd will be jostling to catch a glimpse of a president they have not seen in months. Cheers, song, dance, ululation, drumming and chants of “shemula, shame!” by devotees and PF men and women cadres in their Sata togas will greet him as his procession passes through the gates. Skeptics will be there as well, mingling in the crowd trying to see how pallid and ashen Sata has become.
The swarmed convoy will finally stop at the entrance to the building. There will be more commotion as journalists, local and foreign, fight for vantage spots to get a close-up of Sata as he steps out. It is here the dissection of the president will begin. Pro-government media will portray him as an immaculately dressed healthy-looking president waving fervently at the crowd “in total contrast to rumors of him looking haggard.” Private media, including online outlets will describe him as a deadbeat “ne’er-do-well” ailing president forced out of bed for fear of being dethroned. Foreign media will paint him as “an exhausted dictator of a brutal African state who has been absent at international meetings.”
All the while the nation will be glued to television or radio. Devotees and skeptics will be watching or listening from their homes, offices, and community halls. For those watching by television pay particular attention to his physical appearance. Compare the Sata image on the clothes of the PF dancing troop and his present features. Look at him closely—his hair, face, and stature. As he inspects the guard of honor, watch his step. See if he is foot-dragging, snail-paced, and wearisome.
Scrutinizing President Sata’s voice and speech
Inside parliament, capture the moment of truth. The Speaker will introduce him and utter something like: “Your Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata, you may now address honorable Members of Parliament and through them the people of Zambia.”
Sata’s microphone will be on and he will speak: Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I join you today and the rest of the honorable Members of Parliament…”
Pay attention to his voice. It will be an important determining factor. Vocal cords are often affected by a serious illness. Voice quality problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice are related to various illnesses, and are evident even in a recuperating person. As Sata speaks see if the sound of his voice has changed. Also, pay attention to quality, pitch, and intonation. If he is indeed ill or is recovering from an illness you will be able to tell. Another thing; time his speech and see how long he lasts. If he goes beyond an hour, then he is indeed headed for full recovery. In this case, skeptics must yield and lick their wounds. They have lost, at least for now.
Questions: What if he does not show up and delegates the task to Guy Scott? What if he gets off the traditional tangent and cuts the speech short? Worse still, what if he runs out of breath and collapses?
All the above questions have only one answer; it means we have an ailing president on our hands. It then means that all this about the president being fit is the biggest lie, the worst subterfuge concocted by Guy Scott, Mwansa Kapeya, and Joseph Katema. These three men must then be labeled prevaricators of the worst kind and stripped of any honor. Skeptics should demand the three men be prosecuted for ravaging our intellectual ability, lying under oath, and taking Zambian moral standards to their lowest level. As for the president, skeptics should demand for his impeachment or retirement. They should forever hold him at the nadir and describe him as the Zambian shepherd who was a fraud, liar, perjurer, and deceiver.
But as the minute and hour hands make their way around the clock in tick-tock sound, we can only fix our eyes on the clock and wait for 919, the day of reckoning. Which Sata will show up?
The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations building collapse.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu Njoku
At least 44 people were crushed to death when a guesthouse at a large church that’s home to a famous Nigerian preacher- TB Joshua collapsed in Lagos, a rescue agency official said Sunday.
In addition to those killed, there were “130 rescued from the rubble of the collapsed guesthouse at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations,” Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, told CNN. “The toll may increase as rescue operation is still ongoing because many people are believed to be trapped under the rubble.”
The two-story building is located in the expansive compound of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, run by televangelist T.B. Joshua in the Ikotun area of Lagos, said Farinloye.
The building came down Friday afternoon amid expansion work on three additional floors.
The rescue operation was delayed by the refusal of members of the church to allow emergency workers from NEMA access to the collapsed building.
“The church members were very aggressive and tried attacking emergency responders,” Farinloye said.
Reporters covering the incident were attacked by angry church members, who vandalized a TV camera as a cameraman tried to capture footage of the collapsed building, reporters at the scene said.
Joshua told Nigerian newspapers Sunday that a low-flying aircraft had been repeatedly circling the building and may have been responsible for the building collapse.
NEMA’s Facebook page acknowledged the sabotage reports but also noted that two stories were being added to the building without fortifying the foundation of the initial structure. There is a “high probability” this is what caused the collapse, NEMA said, adding that an investigation will ultimately determine the cause.
Joshua, dubbed “The Prophet” for his self-acclaimed healing powers and prophesies, has a large following among Nigerians and followers across the world.
His church attracts thousands of followers who attend his church every week to listen to Joshua’s sermons, which are also telecast live on the church’s television station.
“People travel from around the world to witness and receive from the mighty work that God is doing in the life of Prophet TB Joshua,” according to the church’s website.
The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations building collapse.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu NjokuSurvivors pulled from the rubble.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu NjokuAmidst the chaos and pandemonium that ensued when a guest-house at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) suddenly collapsed in the early afternoon of Saturday 12th September 2014, tales of miraculous survival have begun to emerge. Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu NjokuThe Synagogue, Church Of All Nations building collapse.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu NjokuAmidst the chaos and pandemonium that ensued when a guest-house at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) suddenly collapsed in the early afternoon of Saturday 12th September 2014, tales of miraculous survival have begun to emerge.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu NjokuThe Synagogue, Church Of All Nations building collapse.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu Njoku
Survivors pulled from the rubble.Picture courtesy of Ihechukwu Njoku
THE Roman Catholic Church in Livingstone has condemned the distribution of condoms to children below the age of 15 saying it is not the right intervention for combating HIV/AIDS.
Livingstone diocese Jeff Tembo said condoms distribution to children in the country was unacceptable because was not the right intervention for combating the disease.
Fr Tembo said accepting the distribution of condoms to children would also mean that people had accepted defeat in the response to HIV/AIDS.
He said people should follow the biblical teachings of being faihthful to each other and avoid sex before marriage as a condom which was made out of plastic would not help them even in their faith.
Speaking during a Youth Alive workshop in Livingstone on Friday at
Cheshire homes, Fr Tembo said better methods of responding to HIV/AIDS were supposed to be put in place.
“We are supposed to put in the best method in responding to the disease, if we fail to be faithful to each other how can we be faithful to a plastic,” Fr Tembo said.
He said giving condoms especially to children below the age of 15 would be promoting immorality as opposed to promoting being faithfuland abstinence.
“Allowing condoms into schools would be accepting defeat in the fight against HIVAIDS and introducing family planning services would also be accepting defeat in educating the children,” Fr Tembo said.
Fr Tembo said it was important to teach young people how to make informed decisions which they not capable of doing.
He also said there was need to ensure that they is a change of mindset amongst the young people.
“We have to go back to our values that existed in our tradition as it seems nowadays theses longer hold. We still have to go back and see if these can values can still work for this generation,” he said.
And speaking earlier, Youth Alive coordinator Sister Nirmala Tigga said an HIVIADS free generation was possible in Zambia if all the stakeholders worked together.
“The intervention of abstinence that the youths are implementing is like swimming against the current and it is very difficult thing to do,” she said.
Meanwhile, Livingstone District Commissioner (DC) Omar Munsanje said the Government appreciated the supplemented efforts by other stakeholders aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS.
Mr Munsanje said meetings aimed at serving humanity must be commended as HIV/AIDS still continued to be a threat to humanity regardless of their race, gender, religion or political affiliation.
File:Defense Minister Edgar Lungu inspects the Quarter Guard mounted by Zambia Army Western Region Headquarters during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province
DEFENCE Minister Edgar Lungu has implored opposition political parties in Zambia to consider belonging to the Congress of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP).
Mr Lungu, who is Justice Minister and ruling Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, said opposition political parties should consider belonging to the organisation where Zambia was currently holding the presidency for the next five years.
Mr Lungu said this on Saturday night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he arrived en route to Chad to attend the CAPP.
The minister was welcomed at Bole International Airport by Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and special representative to the African Union, Susan Sikaneta and embassy staff.
This is contained in a statement released by the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa. As secretary general of the PF, Mr Lungu will chair the meeting of the one-day conference, whose main theme is the establishment of youth wings.
Mr Lungu was accompanied by PF officer-in-charge of the international desk Longo Chibesakunda, former University of Zambia president Steven Kyengula, who is in charge of youth mobilisation at the PF Youth Centre and a youth from Chililabombwe, Mumbo Mwale.
The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Chad capital, Ndjamena today. “The main thrust of the meeting is the establishment of the youth wing of the council. The General Assembly of members will bring together youths so that we involve them in developing the continent,” Mr Lungu said.
“I will also be taking advantage of the event to meet the secretary general and the deputy presidents of the CAPP. We need to know each other and share the expectations of other members from Zambia’s presidency.”
“Even political parties that are in the opposition who believe that humanity is one are free to join. Some political parties who have been in opposition when they form government tend to look down on others and vice versa. By working together we can break that barrier. The world order can be refined if we break such barriers,” Mr Lungu said.
While in Addis Ababa, Mr Lungu also met the secretary general of the CAPP, Nafie Ali Nafie, who was also travelling to Chad for the congress.
During their meeting, Mr Lungu and Dr Nafie discussed matters of youth and women empowerment on the African continent. Dr Nafie is member of the High Office of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party.
“The youth are a very important driving force to our development as a continent. Our political parties cannot survive without the youth. We will also soon be having a special meeting on women,” Dr Nafie said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has assured Zambians abroad that the situation in Zambia is calm and that the country has just successfully held five peaceful by-elections.
He said the situation in Zambia was not as portrayed by some online
publications which lived in a virtual world.
And Ms Sikaneta, who congratulated Mr Lungu on his appointment as Justice minister and secretary general of the PF, said the embassy was proud that Zambia would be giving political leadership to the CAPP for the next five years.
The CAPP headquarters is in Sudan to which the Addis Ababa mission is accredited.
Mr Lungu flew to Ndjamena yesterday and was seen off by Ms Sikaneta.
SECURITY personnel in Kapiri Mposhi have arrested 48 Ethiopian nationals for unlawful entry after they were found in a containerized truck.
Alert officers uncovered one of the biggest human smuggling scams in recent years, after they intercepted the truck in Kapiri Mposhi on Saturday night.
Both Immigration Department and police confirmed the arrest yesterday.
The 48 were travelling in a Tanzanian containerised Scania-BDI truck registration number T606 and were arrested along the stretch between Mkushi and Kapiri Mposhi by a combined team of immigration and police officers.
Central Province Commissioner of Police Standwell Lungu said officers intercepted the truck after receiving a tip from the public.
Mr Lungu said after stopping the truck, 30 Ethiopians were apprehended on the spot, while 18 others, including the driver, ran away but were quickly rounded up.
Immigration Department public relations officer Namati Nshinka said the driver of the truck, Erasto Mbilinyi, 46, a Tanzanian, was also apprehended.
Mbilinyi is alleged to have entered Zambia as a business visitor on Wednesday, September 10, 2014.
“Arrangements to move the suspected prohibited immigrants to Kabwe for further investigations are underway. This is a suspected case of human smuggling,” Mr Namati said.
Acting Central Province Permanent Secretary Ronald Sinyangwe said all the Ethiopians would be screened for Ebola as per
requirement.
Mr Sinyangwe, who rushed to Kapiri Mposhi, said the suspects would go through the Ebola screening process.
“The screening does not mean that they have Ebola but we just want to be on a safe side,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Kitwe man on Saturday accidentally shot his 19-year-old female worker with an air gun in the head.
Acting police spokesperson Esther Katongo said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that police had since arrested Francis Ching’andu, 39, for accidentally shooting Elizabeth Bubala of Kwacha Township.
Ms Bubala was engaged to carry out casual jobs for Ching’andu.
Ms Katongo said the suspect owned an air gun which he used to accidently shoot the woman.
“On the material day (around 08: 00 hours on Saturday), after getting the air gun from the guards, our suspect was doing what we call a safety precaution measure (checking if the chamber had pellets). It was while he was doing so that he pulled the trigger and accidentally shot the woman on the left side of her forehead,” she said.
Ms Katongo said the woman was later rushed to Kitwe General Hospital where she was admitted with two pellets stuck in her head.
The pellets have since been removed and Ms Bubala has been discharged while Ching’andu is in police custody charged with Unlawful Wounding.
A make walks along the street in Luanshya’s Roan Township
Luanshya PF Member of Parliament Steven Chungu says he will not apologise to anyone in the party over allegations that he failed to support a solidarity march staged by the PF on the Copperbelt in support of the sacking of Wynter Kabimba.
Mr Chungu said allegations that he blocked youths from Luanshya from joining their colleagues in Kitwe for a march past are cheap and baseless.
Mr Chungu and his Luanshya Constituency Chairman have since been served with a suspension for allegedly going against the party directives to support the anti-Kabimba protests.
But Mr Chungu said he is not moved by the suspension and will not recognise the suspension served on him by the provincial executive.
“They are making wild accusations against me. I had nothing to do with the failure by the Luanshya youths to particulate in the so called solidarity march past as I was out of the country when these activities were taking place,” Mr Chungu said.
He also said he is not moved by the threats from some PF to block him from entering Parliament on Friday if he does not apologise.
Mr Chungu said no one can block him from entering Parliament as he is elected to serve the people of Luanshya.
Mr Chungu is seen as a key allie of Mr Kabimba and has been at loggerheads with his Roan counterpart and Youth and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili.
