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Young Chipolopolo on Wednesday fined tuned for Malawi with training game Airport United at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Zambia Under-20 beat the Division Two side 7-1 on Wednesday morning in their final practice match before hosting Malawi at the same venue this Saturday.
Hector Chilombo’s side secured their win thanks to a hat trick from Napsa Stars Striker Saith Sakala.
Green Eagles winger Spencer Sautu and Konkola Mine Police striker Austin Muwowo notched a brace each.
Young Chipolopolo lead Malawi 2-1 from the first leg played on August 16 in Blantyre.
A win or draw for Zambia this weekend will see them qualify to next March’s finals in Senegal.
Zambia has previously qualified to the African Youth Championships in 1999 under Patrick Phiri and 2007 with George Lwandamina at the helm.
The Zambia Police says it is studying the matter in which a classified government document from State House was recently leaked through the media by unknown people.
On Tuesday the 26th of August, during a media briefing held in Lusaka Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda implored law enforcement agencies to establish how a classified letter he wrote to President Michael Sata in which he sought for his Ministry to instruct the Commissioner General of the Zambia Revenue Authority to streamline Value Added Tax General Administration Rule number 18, got into the possession of unauthorized persons.
Police acting spokesperson Esther Mwaata-Katongo has told Qfm news in an interview it will not be until the Police concludes its studying of the matter will it be known what course of action the Police will take.
Ms. Katongo, who could not disclose how long it will take the police to study the matter, has however noted that the Police will soon issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.
She says for now the Police cannot give any further details.
Lubashenshi Independent Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka has accused some media houses and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country of being compromised.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka Mr. Mucheleka said some media houses have deviated from their many duties of providing unbiased information to the public and driving the agenda of the country but instead are now driving agendas of individuals with selfish motives.
Mr. Mucheleka noted that it was not right for media houses to continue promoting personal agendas by selfish individuals at the expense of a national agenda which will help foaster development in the country.
He calls on the media in the country to be above board saying the media are the eyes and ears of the people in the country and that the development of the country depends on the information they provide to the public.
And Mr. Mucheleka has observed that the civil society in the country has been compromised hence failing to provide the necessary oversight to the government.
He cites the failure by the civil society to meaningfully mobilize themselves so as to force government to release the draft constitution as one such area which has shown the weakness in the civil society something he suspects is due to some organizations being compromised.
He explained that Members of Parliament provided an opportunity for the nation to raise as one force when the protested in parliament for three consecutive days but that CSOs failed to cease the opportunity and mobilize themselves and push the agenda from outside parliament.
Mr Mucheleka noted that if the CSOs in the country were not compromised the draft constitution would have long been released because they would have organized a mass movement in action as opposed to press conferences which keeps happening but without tangible results.
“The MPs were demonstrating in the house; we rose to the occasion and demonstrated for three days some thing which is unprecedented in this country, so the Civil Society should have mobilized themselves from outside.
“The CSOs should have also mobilized the student movement, the University of Zambia, Evelyn Hone, Copperbelt University and other students across the country as well as the workers to support the MPs but that did not happen.
“We lost an opportunity to raise as a country and demand for the constitution with one voice,” Mr. Mucheleka said.
He added, ” if we continue to have a constitution which is defective then organizations that should be providing checks and balances will always be compromised or appear to be compromised.”
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma says strides are being taken to control the challenge of aggressive load shedding that has hit the country for several years now.
Mr Yaluma was speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the development of hydro-power sites on the Luapula river.
He said Zambia needs inter connections with neighbouring countries in order to exploit the massive water bodies that the country is endowed with.
Mr Yaluma said the MOU will help Zambia forge ahead by maximising the potential and opportunities of presented by hydro- power sites along the Luapula river.
He observed that Zambia needs power on a large scale to satisfy the growing demand in the mining industry and extract the much needed copper to spur economic growth.
And Congolese Minister of Energy and Water Resources Bruno Kapandji Kalala who was represented by the ministry director Thaddie Nkiet said the MOU will enable the two countries address the issue of load shedding in their respective countries and produce abundant electricity for export in the SADC region.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says it has made massive progress in the matter of alleged misuse of over 3.3 million kwacha at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katonga told ZANIS in an interview that substantial progress has been made in investigations.
Ms Katongo however could not divulge more details as it will jeopardise investigations into the matter.
“White colour crimes or rather money laundering cases are not like drug cases which we conclude within the shortest period of time. We need time to trace anyone involved and then we will present our findings to the public,” she said.
Seven junior officials at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing have been suspended for allegedly diverting K3.3 million Constituency Development Funds, of which, K1.3 million was allocated to Rufunsa Constituency as Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
FILE:GENDER and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina (left), Lusaka deputy Mayor Potipher Tembo (centre) and Arthur Wina Primary School Parents Teachers Association chairperson Damaseke Chibale.
Patriotic Front (PF) national chairperson Inonge Wina says it is not possible for any PF leader to take over leadership from President Michael Sata now as he has a mandate to govern the country up to 2016 and possibly beyond.
Commenting on the revelation by Finance Minister that there are some PF leaders positioning themselves to take over the presidency from President Sata, Ms. Wina has told Qfm news in an interview that she is learning of the revelation by Mr. Chikwanda for the first time.
Ms. Wina, who is also Gender Minister, says it will be however unwise for anyone to contemplate taking over the presidency because everyone in party knows that the current leader of party and the Head of State is President Sata.
She says it is for this reason why she thinks that there cannot be anyone in the ruling party’s leadership who is currently contemplating to take the Presidency before 2016.
Asked what her advice would be as party national person if indeed there is a clique of PF leaders positioning themselves to take over the presidency as confirmed by Mr. Chikwanda, Ms. Wina says she may not be aware if there is any such machinations.
She says as national chairperson, she would like to see togetherness and a stronger unity of purpose by all party members.
The PF national chairperson states this is why it is important that all party members adhere to her call for unity.
More than 80 trucks coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) going to South Africa are currently stranded at Kazungula Border on the Zambian side because authorities from Botswana side are allegedly not allowing them to enter their country due to fears of the Ebola virus.
The trucks, which are mainly carrying copper from DRC, have not been allowed to cross to Botswana since Monday this week when news broke out that DRC had cases of the Ebola virus.
A truck driver working for Global Marketers of South Africa, Anthony Abel, said drivers coming from DRC were not allowed to pass through Botswana regardless of their nationality as South Africans.
Mr Abel, who spoke on behalf of several other stranded drivers, told journalists at Kazungula border on Tuesday afternoon that more than 80 trucks were stuck because of Ebola fears on the Botswana side.
“All truck drivers coming from Zambia are allowed to pass through Botswana but those of us coming from DRC are not allowed to cross.
We don’t know how long this will take. I loaded copper from Congo on my way to South Africa. The problem is not on the Zambian side but on the Botswana side,” he said.
Mr Abel, whose company has five trucks which are stranded at Kazungula border, said most drivers were South African nationals and he wondered why they were treated like Congolese nationals.
Meanwhile the Zambian Government has expressed worry at the reported 24 cases of the Ebola virus that have been so far recorded in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya said government’s worry is in view of the fact that Zambia shares the same boarders DRC.
Speaking when he received a donation of Ebola preparedness supplies from World Health Organization (WHO) in Lusaka today, Dr. Chilufya said government will however strengthen surveillance system at Kasumbalesa boarder post to prevent any possible outbreak of the deadly virus in the country.
Dr. Chilufya says the Zambian government is also aware that Ebola has now become Africa’s huge health threat which requires concerted efforts and stronger partnerships among countries in combating the incurable virus.
He said it is for this reason that government has deployed health workers in different entry points of the country in a bid to prevent the outbreak of the virus.
The Health Deputy Minister has also emphasized that government has not banned movements of people from Ebola affected countries.
Speaking at the same event, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Jean Marie Dangou said the latest statistics on Ebola indicate that a total of 240 health workers have developed the disease in the four countries and 120 have since died.
Dr. Dangou noted that though there is no case of Ebola virus in Zambia, it is critical to put in place necessary preventive and response measures to protect the general populace and the health workers.
The US$50, 000 worthy supplies donated by WHO to government include: 290 complete PPE Kit, 24 Extra PPE Coveralls, 45 Extra PPE Trousers, 130 1.5 hand sprayers, 65 15 liters back sprayers, 500 face shields, 1, 000 Biohazard bags among others.
President Sata and the first lady visiting the Presidents son Kazimu at Milpark hospital Johannesburg
The Non Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has charged that President Michael Sata’s continued silence is creating a serious vacuum in the nation.
NGOCC board chairperson Beatrice Grillo said the Zambians deserve to be told why the President has remained conspicuously silent.
Ms Grillo said told Qfm News that the Zambian people have been left to wonder as to why the President has remained quiet for so long.
She added that the situation has been worrying the majority of the Zambian people especially that there has been no communication from the government pertaining to the same.
Ms. Grillo said there is need for effective communication by government to the people of Zambia in order to help them understand the Presidents silence.
The Lusaka High Court has acquitted a United Party for National Development (UPND) member Isaac Zulu who was accused of murdering Menyani Zulu in Rumfunsa during violence that characterized the ward by-election in the area.
High Court Judge Dominic Sichinga this morning acquitted Mr Zulu who was accused of murdering Menyani Zulu, a Patriotic Front (PF) cadre in Rufunsa during a ward by-election in November 2012.
The case had been politically charged as the death of the Menyani Zulu directly blamed on the UPND by President Michael Sata but subsequent investigations revealed that Menyani Zulu was killed by fellow PF cadres in a dispute over money.
Judge Sichinga who has been transferred to Kitwe but sat in Lusaka yesterday said the state had failed to prove the case and that the evidence adduced in court was not collaborated.
Isaac Zulu who was at the material day employed as a driver to Siavonga UPND Member of Parliament Kennedy Hamudulu was represented by Gilbert Phiri of PNP Advocates and Martha Mushipi.
UND leader Hakainde Hichilema surrounded by supporters in Kitwe
Opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said he was humbled with the massive support he received yesterday during his court appearance in Kitwe High Court on the Copperbelt.
Mr. Hichilema says he was particularly humbled with the reception he got from miners commonly known as Jerobos, the same people who wanted to kill him during his radio appearance in Ndola’s Sun FM radio.
Mr. Hichilema was accompanied with a long convoy of vehicles by the Jerabos chanting aleisa aleisa is in Kitwe for court appearance in a matter in which he is charged with contempt of court over his remarks on the Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda.
And one of the Jerabos representative said they were misled to go and attack Mr. Hichilema in Ndola last time, an action in which they regretted and apologised.
“We were sent and misled to attack you sir. We sincerely apologise and regret our actions. We promise to protect you each time you come to the Copperbelt. You are now a freeman of the Copperbelt and we are going to mount a massive recruitment for UPND on the Copperbelt,” said one the youths.
In response Mr. Hichilema told supporters and jerobos that he had a big heart and immediately hugged his attackers and forgave them.
In several other meetings held on the Copperbelt, the UPND leader said he fully sympathised with the poverty levels in the area, especially on the failure by mine contractors to pay workers salaries on time.
“I know there were some riots in some towns on the Copperbelt last week because of delayed payments of salaries and government is doing nothing to intervene. This situation is unacceptable under a caring government. But we know PF have no leadership currently and they just cheated you,” he told the supporters.
Hichilema said he was in Kitwe at short notice for court appearance and promised to be going there more often so that he could fully provide the missing leadership on the Copperbelt and in Zambia.
“Zambia is currently in a serious crisis. We don’t even know where our president is. All his ministers and collaborators are on each other’s neck fighting each other at the expense of working to alleviate the people’s suffering.
As you can see UPND, have now been vindicated. They used to say we wish president Michael Sata ill and wanted to take-over government before 2016. You have now seen revelations among themselves that they are the ones that are scheming to remove Mr. Sata before 2016 elections.
Mr. Hichilema said the evil elements that were fighting to unseat Mr. Sata were within the PF as revealed by themselves.
“I call on president Sata also to come out and address the crisis that has been created as a result of the vacuum he has created in the country due to his absence. People are suffering and he can’t continue hiding and allegedly working in secrecy when mealie meal prices are too high despite the so called bumper harvest,” he told the cheering supporters and Jerabos.
Zambian Fourth president Rupiah Banda
THE Lusaka magistrate court has deferred to September 5, 2014 ruling in a matter in which former republican president Rupiah Banda has asked it to refer his oil deal case to the high court for determination of Constitutional matters.
Principal Magistrate Obister Musukwa who yesterday mentioned the case on behalf of chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda told Banda that the ruling was not yet ready.
This is in a matter in which Banda is facing one count of abuse of authority relating to the oil deal with the Nigerian Government.
It is alleged that between May 1, 2008 and September 24, 2011, Banda, being a person employed in the public service, namely President of the Republic of Zambia, did abuse the authority of his office.
Banda, 76, of house number 3, plot 2759, off Leopards Hill Road in Lusaka allegedly procured a Nigerian government-to-government oil contract in the name of the republic of Zambia but did not benefit Zambians.
He is accused of instructing his son Henry Banda to determine the destination of the proceeds of the contract.
However, Banda has asked the magistrates court to refer the case to the high court for determination of Constitutional matters.
He has charged that he could not be prosecuted by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mutembo Nchito because he views him of being biased.
Banda further claims that he will not be afforded a fair hearing because Mr Nchito has continued to carry out investigation while prosecuting him on the other hand.
Mr Nchito has however urged Mr Banda to dismiss Banda’s request on grounds that it was a manoeuvre to delay the trial which was smoothly going on.
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) Copper Mine in Solwezi
An international civil organization Action Aid has advised the government to review the country’s tax system in the mining sector.
Action Aid Economic Justice Project Officer, Kryticouf Nshindano says government should make sure that it generates more income from the mines through tax collection because copper and other minerals are non-renewable resources.
Mr. Nshindano says it is now very clear Zambia is not benefiting from its mines as expected.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Nshindano said this in a telephone interview in Lusaka, yesterday.
He also observed that the country is not generating the maximum income from the mining industry because there is no value addition in the mining sector.
Furthermore, Action Aid Economic Justice Project Officer said that government should make sure that Zambia Revenue Authority and other related institutions have the full capacity to monitor the operations of the mines if it is to curb tax evasion by some multinational cooperation.
Mr. Nshindano also pointed out that the windfall tax may be one way of helping the country to collect enough tax from the mines.
He however said that if government was to introduce the windfall tax, its application should be uniform so as not to segregate other mines as they do not produce the same amount of copper.
Mr. Nshindano further said that as the Ministry of Finance Prepares its budget presentation, they should make sure that they maximize revenue from the mines through the minimizing of tax evasion by the mining Multinational Companies.
He also said that government should also make sure that it prioritizes its activities if it is to reduce on unplanned expenditure which is costly to the nation and its citizenry who are the tax payers.
Earlier this year there was some reports that a named mining company had been falsifying its income to evade paying tax.
It has also been cited that Zambia has been losing billions of Kwacha through tax evasion, financial flaws, corruption and other corporate frauds by some multinational mining cooperation.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) General Secretary Winston Chibwe has advised Chieftiness Nkomesha of the Soli people to stop issuing statements that are politically biased.
Commenting on the recent statement by her royal highness during the official opening of Chiawa Bridge in which she praised the PF government stating that the PF had managed to do what the MMD government had failed to do in 20 years, Mr. Chibwe said the Chieftiness should stop issuing such statements which are political in nature and stick to representing her subjects.
Mr. Chibwe said her royal highness should be the last person to issue such statements against former ruling parties because she was a Minister long before MMD took over office a position she should have used to lobby for the same bridge.
“The thing is she can’t be saying those things about MMD when she was in government herself. Obviously you don’t know that she was a minister in the UNIP government, why didn’t she build the bridge,” Mr. Chibwe wondered.
He added, “she is a wrong person to be saying those things about the MMD instead she should just appreciate that the bridge has been built and keep quiet. She not start saying MMD what; I mean I’m not promoting MMD but she was in government for 27 years and MMD was there for 20 years so why didn’t they build the bridge because the kafue river has been there before since before she was not even born.
She ate with MMD and now that its the PF in office she wants to eat with them.”
Avic International Deputy Director Liu Xiaodong (left) takes Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda (second from left), Local Government and Housing Minister Emmanuel Chenda and Road Development Agency Director General Bernard Chiwala on an inspection of one of the roads under construction in Lusaka
Hjoe Moono
The past weeks we have seen a full attack by some sections of the media launched at the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda, MP. A number of people, perhaps seeking media access and national attention, have been lined up and quoted in some sections of the media denouncing and calling for the resignation of Mr. Chikwanda, accusing him of some ‘sins’ he is purported to be committing in his private ‘businesses’.
The strange thing, however, is that this it is the same media houses that not so long ago sang and wrote long love articles in praise of Mr. Chikwanda, calling him a “revolutionary without qualification” and a “A revolutionary without ego, one who has always been ready to serve his people and his homeland in any way and in any capacity”. Alas, suddenly, the revolutionary is now the villain, and is being attached left right and centre. Decoys have been used in this attack, from spiritual leaders seeking media attention to opposition party leaders that need to ‘check-in’ with the media lest they become obsolete.
I had recently criticized Mr. Chikwanda’s handling of the economy, and must say that until now have not been keenly aware of him as a leader, only to the point of acknowledging that he did, in the past, and as praised by the now critical media, an exemplary job as district governor for Chavuma upon graduating with a degree in economics from Sweden when many not so qualified folks opted for jobs in the city. However, since his criticism in the media, his response, composure and mature handling of the whole hoo-hah has made me see the other side of the man: A mature well nurtured politician. Perhaps he remains one of the few surviving old folks that can handle national matters and sail our nation to political maturity.
Over the past days, the few people I have spoken to have referred to Hon. Chikwanda as a “mentor”, while many others saw him as more than that, and have often referred to him as an “advocate” in politics. These conversations got me thinking about leadership, and in particular, the need for maturity in the PF leadership during such a moment when mutiny seems to be taking a heavy toll in the absence of their supreme leader.
A mentor in politics would have taken their leadership to the next level and chosen to intentionally invest in the lives of others. They encourage, equip, envision, inspire and engage others to be the best they can be. They recognize their responsibility as a leader to help others be their best. Their leadership is not about them, but about those they lead. This is what some have referred Chikwanda as.
An Advocate, on the other hand, would have taken their mentorship to the highest level possible – they mentor others, but also advocate on their behalf to open up opportunities for advancement. This can be in the form of promotions, recommendations, referrals, or any other means by which the leader leverages their authority and influence to create opportunities for those they are mentoring. This I have seen Hon. Chikwanda do when as Minister of Finance he recommended the appointment of Dr. Caleb Fundanga as Executive Director for the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI). Without ministerial recommendation, such a position is not feasible.
An “advocate” is someone who pleads for or on behalf of another, who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, who promotes another – they are a proponent, a backer, a champion. An Advocate leader champions the cause of those they lead. That doesn’t mean an Advocate leader does the work for those they lead so people can follow along effortlessly in their wake. No, an Advocate leader champions others because he/she believes in a person, so they create opportunities for those they lead to prove their ability and move forward. Clearly, Mr. Chikwanda, aside his economic governance mishaps, has proven to be an effective advocate leader.
The disappearance of HE. Michael Sata from the active scene has created some form of mutiny in the PF, and this is affecting the nation at large. There is a dire need for mature leadership. Now, more than ever, we need forward thinking leadership.
With 50 years of self-governance in sight, part of growing up as a forward looking nation that is intent on building a sustainable democracy solely rests in our political leaders’ ability to exhibit political maturity; Maturity in how they conduct themselves in the administration of Zambia’s public affairs and maturity in how they deal with their colleagues and opponents, real or imaginary.
Clearly, time is long overdue for members of the PF, the party in power, to realise that they must show each other mutual respect. With mutual respect, only then will we, the electorate being represented by them respect them, and likewise, respect each other irrespective of who our favourite politicians are. The time for shadow boxing isn’t now.
There is need for the current leadership to put their country first. The Zambian electorate has for long clearly demanded that leaders be selfless in their dealings and heed the call to put national issues before personal and political agendas. Selflessness in governance and a genuine concern for the welfare of others results in less partisanship in governance. And this is what Zambia needs, besides, we only have one Zambia.
What is obvious, however, is that the current practice of partisan politics has left us a deeply divided nation, and strangely, even intra-party divisions are emerging. These intra-party divisions have potential to spill over outside the party and cause further nationwide divisions. If we wish for citizens to improve on their divided social interaction and bridge the communications gap, our political leaders have to set the example for us to follow. With less partisanship in governance comes the elimination of victimization in our society.
Most of our people are less impressed with how something is said or how it sounds or how well written it is on a newspaper headline. They are more concerned with what is done based on what has been said. The electorates ought not to be impressed with the eloquence of our politician’s speech, extensive vocabulary nor their unrestricted access to private and friendly media. We should be impressed with how well the affairs of the nation are being managed by those we have entrusted leadership with.
To truly achieve the goal of national building and dealing with the many challenges facing our country, all leaders, particularly those in the ruling party must work together. Maturity in politics entails that mutual cooperation is the order of the day, where the national Zambian agenda supersedes personal agendas being fought in the media.
To achieve a mature democracy we all so desire, we must learn to appreciate that it is acceptable to attack each other’s ideas, but it is not acceptable to verbally or physically, or through our alliance media houses, to attack the individual putting forth the idea. Clearly, the attacks on the Hon. Minister by those hiding behind their friendly media houses are a show of political immaturity that has not place in modern Zambian politics.
My respect and admiration for Hon. Chikwanda’s political maturity, even when discounted for his shortcomings in the managing the economy, has grown considerably over the past two weeks. Clearly, he has exhibited the character of a sober, mature and sane leader that the party and the country needs in times of high uncertainty-both economic and political. Such maturity brewed with mentorship and advocacy should be emulated by his peers, in both the PF and the opposition.
Indeed, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda is a revolutionary without qualification.
Chibolya compound women residents gathered at the borehole to find solution to the water problem that has hit Itezhi-Tezhi district – Copy
Kanyama member of parliament Gerry Chanda says plans to construct a youths skills training centre for empowerment purposes in his constituency are progressing well.
Colonel Chanda who is also Muchinga Province minister says that plans are underway for the construction of the centre were youths will be trained for self sustainability.
He said one hundred and fifty thousand kwacha from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has since been set aside for the construction of the youths skills centre in the once infamous Chibolya township.
Col. Chanda expressed happiness that sanity is slowly returning to the notorious compound were youths were engaging in illegal activities to make ends meet.
He said the clean up exercise by the combined team of Police and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) came at the right time as the area has been lagging behind in terms of development.
ZANIS reports that the Parlaimentarian revealed this in a telephone interview in Lusaka today.
He reminisced that at one time the ill-famed youths manhandled the contractors who had gone to survey the land for the erection of the youths training centre.
“The youths centre would have been constructed a long time ago but the youths beat up the Chinese contractors who had gone to survey the land that has been earmarked for the development and they had no choice but to cancel the deal for fear of being killed”, he said.
He recalled that the youths stated that they did not want any developmental projects in the area and opted to be selling drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.
The area MP said that he wants the centre to benefit the youths not only in Chibolya but also the entire constituency further stating that he now wants to acquire more land were the prestigious centre will be built.
In June this year, police and DEC raided Chibolya to rid the compound off illicit activities and made several arrests.
Some victims have since been jailed for various offenses while others are still appearing in court.
