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Coach Beston Chambeshi has hailed his Nkana side for thumping Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel 4-3 in Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group B match played at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The win revived Nkana’s chances of advancing to the semifinal stage of the competition as it moved them from the bottom to third place with four points from four matches.
Chambeshi said he was impressed with Nkana’s display.
“They put up a good fight and it was not an easy game,” he said.
“I am happy with the player’s reaction and let’s hope we maintain the same spirit.”
Chambeshi added:”This result is good for the team and we now have a direction as a team.”
Nkana will now host Group B leaders Al Ahly on 2nd August before wrapping up the group stage matches with an away match against Ivorian club Sewe Sport.
Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has challenged the MMD to disclose exactly how much money it is alleging his party has used to bribe MMD members to join the UPND.
Mr. Hichilema has also wondered whether, by stating that his party is bribing MMD members on the copperbelt to defect to the UPND, also mean that other members such as Dr. Canisius Banda and Mutale Nalumango were also paid to the UPND.
Mr. Hichilema has told Qfm news in an interview that he thinks that such accusations the MMD is making against his party are only meant to ridicule and abuse the UPND as he does not believe that any adult can be bribed to join a political party.
He says the UPND does have money to pay anyone to join it as every in his party work voluntarily.
The UPND leaders says the MMD should only be mindful that people in the country have now made the choice to rally behind the UPND because they have seen that it is the only opposition political party that with the capacity to wrestle the ruling PF from power.
He says this is why he does not see any reason for any opposition political party to start fighting UPND as it is not the party in power.
The opposition leader says the MMD, which he says also poached its members during its tenure in government, should concentrate on fighting the ruling PF as it is the party responsible for the alleged poor economic performance of the country and the alleged break down of the rule of law.
He says only when the UPND is in power should the MMD have leverage to fight it.
Chief government spokesperson Joseph Katema says it is not up to the Executive to determine a pay rise for the Legislature.
In an apparent response to a challenge by the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) that the Patriotic Front (PF) government gives a position on the demands for a pay rise by Members of Parliament, Mr. Katema says all three arms of government; the Executive, the Judiciary and Legislature operate independently.
Mr. Katema notes that this is why workers from each arm of government negotiate with their management and that it is through these negotiations that management of any arm of government agree or disagree with the representative of the workers over any concern.
He says this is why any queries of over the said demand for a pay rise by MPs should be directed to the management of the National Assembly whose Chief Executive officer is the Clerk.
Mr. Katema, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, was speaking an interview with Qfm news.
Opposition MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu says the former ruling party has difficulties working with the UPND because UPND members believe that they have arrived.
Mr Lungu said the general feeling among MMD members is that the UPND would be a difficult party to work with due to the bad altitude of some of its members.
He said the MMD is always open to working with other progressive opposition parties but will not allow itself to be treated as a lesser political organisation in any alliance.
Mr Lungu was speaking Friday evening when he featured on a live radio programme on UNZA FM.
“Well I would say that I think the sentiments in as far as many members of the MMD are concerned at the moment towards the UPND have been estranged. We understand that it would be within the ambit of the PF to hammer the MMD but we fail to understand why our colleagues within in the UPND feel that we must be obliterated for them to be able to survive,” Mr Lungu said.
He added, “Many of us find the altitude of the UPND very worrying that they believe that they have arrived and many of us count for nothing. Now we can say congratulations to them if they believe they have arrived but ultimately the electorate will make a decision on who represents this country on a broader basis and on a broader range of issues.”
Mr Lungu reiterated that the MMD is always open to possibilities of an alliance with other political parties.
“We are in an alliance with four other political parties and we are working well together and we have a made a decision that at an appropriate time if we should field a joint candidate everyone one of us will have to make decision on the basis of what is rationale at that given time and our President even went to the extent of saying that he wasn’t preoccupied with being the President but it appears that our friends in the UPND unless they are number 1, unless they are offering the Presidency then no can’t do. The rest of us have to kneel and say yes Sir to you and that we cannot accept as the MMD.”
He added, “We have clearly set out rules and regulations and we have got a clear set of ideas which are very clear, we believe in a free market and we believe in democracy and if other political parties will impose their dictatorial tendencies on you then we will have to buckle at the possibility of working such an organisation but we are open.”
On demands by MPs to have their salaries increased, Mr Lungu regretted that there is an attempt to paint a picture that demands to increase MPs allowances is only coming from MMD MPs.
“What is clear is that the party has made its official position known. We have said the demands for increased salaries is not in tandem with the current social and economic situation but what is worrying is that some quarters want to make it appear that this is the MMD MPs fighting alone,” he said.
He added, “In that debate which i heard myself, there were MPs from the UPND, MPs from the PF who were also debating for this issue.”
Mr Lungu said, “We should not try to reduce the importance of the discussion by zooming on a particular individual or a political party but looking at the principle and the principle is that every time that the issue of emoluments either for MPs or for the President came up when we were in power, the condemnation from civil society and the public generally was always that this was a responsibility of the Head of State and that he is the one who has to put a stop to this, now in this particular case there is this attempt to vilify the MMD, now it is ultimately going to be a decision of the Patriotic Front Government.”
He stated that in the last three years of the Patriotic Front Government, they have adjusted the salaries of the President and the salaries of the Ministers three times.
“The salary of the President now is a 100 percent of what it was when we were in power and yet the voices of reason have not been as loud.”
Mr Lungu continued, “I raise this issue because if someone is principally wrong, all of us have to be able to rally to condemn what is wrong, we should not use the basis of whether something is right or wrong on the basis of somebody who has raised it or whether we like that person or we don’t like them.”
“This issue is clear, as far as the MMD is concerned, we think that this should not be done. It is ill timed but ultimately the buck stops with the President and those in Government who know that they have overspent and this country has a huge deficit as a percentage of the budget and that this country is in debt, enormous debt.”
Mr Lungu added, “In the three years, we have increased our debt from 1.2 to 7 billion in three years and our domestic debt is also enormously large and the Government is spending as if there is not tomorrow yet the level of expenditure, the impact of that expenditure is not been felt by an ordinary Zambian and that we should be able to indicate to this Government.”
Newly erected statues at the Examinations council of Zambia
The Examinations Council of Zambia has removed the statues at the entrance to the institution after widespread public condemnation.
A check at the ECZ on Haile Selassie Avenue around Longacres revealed that the two pieces of art have been removed.
ECZ Spokesman RonaldTembo confirmed that management at the institution met and reviewed the situation and decided to pull down the statues.
Mr Tembo said the ECZ is a public institution and shall always remain open to public scrutiny.
A social media campaign prompted by Lusaka based motivational speaker Mubita Nawa drew a huge amount of interest in the statues with many people demanding that they be pulled down.
Nawa labeled the sculptures ugly and argued that they did not portray a real Zambian.
Two boxers kept Zambia’s medal hopes in the competition alive after winning their respective bouts at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday night.
Middleweight Ben Muziyo beat Jamaican Michael Gardner 3-0 in a last 32 contest.
Muziyo will now face Brody Blair of Canada on Monday night in the last 16.
Also through on Saturday was Charles Lumbwe who advanced to the last 16 of the Light Welterweight contest after beating Bernardo Marrime of Mozambique 2-1.
Lumbwe is in action this evening against Junias Jonas of Namibia.
Meanwhile, Light Flyweight Bwalya Lumbwe enters the ring for the first time on Monday against Ugandan Fazil Kaggwa.
Zambia has a five-member boxing team in Glasgow but two boxers have already bowed out of the competition.
Flyweight Chris Katanga and Welterweight Mbachi Kaonga were eliminated on Friday night.
Nkana have moved into third place in Group B in the CAF Confederation Cup at the end of match day four in their pool.
Nkana’s status was confirmed after Al Ahly of Egypt beat Sewe Sport of Cote d’ivoire 1-0 in Cairo late on Saturday night courtesy of a Walid Soliman 4th minute penalty.
The result means that Sewe now drop to bottom on three points, one less than Nkana.
Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel stay second on five points despite losing 4-3 to Nkana earlier on Saturday afternoon in Kitwe.
Al Ahly lead Group B on eight points and they visit Nkana on August 9 in a penultimate group stage fixture.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections JCTR has expressed concern with rate at which country is quickly losing fiscal autonomy on account of exacerbated debt contraction with the current external debt is estimated to exceed US $4 billion by close of Fiscal Year 2014.
The organisation says the government’s borrowing at a commercial rate as opposed to bilateral, multilateral and concessional loans is a major source of worry as the country will be forced to pay high interest rates instead of channeling the resource to developmental needs.
The organisation further expresses concern over the lack of a sound risk management profile and are not backed by legislative oversight.
“It is rather a sad reality that over 60 per cent of Zambians live in poverty. Hence Zambia needs to improve on performance of its social sector namely health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation and social protection.
“According to the Ministry of Finance, government allocated US$ 29 Million from the 2012 US $750 million Euro bond to the health sector for modernization of the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) , Livingstone General Hospital, Kitwe General Hospital, and Ndola General Hospital.”
The Centre adds that bond proceeds which have been allocated to the health sector were targeted at procurement of specialized equipment for theatre, prosthetics, orthotics, and other equipments which will not be generating income hence adding more pressure to the already over burdened tax payer.
The organisation has since called on government to ensure that resources raised by means of debt contraction are used for purposes of sustainable development.
“On this score, JCTR is appealing for maximum discipline on the part of controlling officers charged with the responsibility of implementing programmes and activities financed from debt proceeds”.
PATRIOTIC Front Secretary General (SG) Wynter Kabimba says he is a conveyor belt of President Sata’s development agenda.
M Kabimba said the country cannot record development without the inclusion of traditional leaders.
He said this in Mumbwa yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Chief Shakumbila at his palace.
“Chiefs play an integral part in development. President Sata views traditional leaders as partners in development,” he said.
Mr Kabimba who is also Minister of Justice said traditional leaders have a key role to play in development.
Chief Shakumbila was flanked by three other chiefs, namely Chief Chikanta of Kalomo, Chief Kahare of Nkeyema and Chief Shimukunami of Lufwanyama.
Mr Kabimba said contrary to public opinion, Mr Sata has a heart for Zambia.
“His Excellency President Michael Sata wants to ensure that this country develops. Mr Sata loves Zambians and he wants everyone to live good lives.”
Mr Kabimba later attended a traditional ceremony in Shakumbila chiefdom.
captions Communications and Transport Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda yesterday mounted a Road Block at Prospect police Camp near Kabwe where he Impouded a number of Vehicles which had faults .In the picture, Mr Kaunda inspects the fire Extinguisher from a Rosa Bus while the Driver of a Bus looks on
Government says a vibrant motor industry is cardinal in fostering social and economic development in the country.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda says it was for this reason that government will continue to support the private sector in the motor industry sector.
Col. Kaunda said government would do so especially in the supply of brand new commercial motor vehicles saying this will go a long way in delivering the much needed development to the people.
He added that government was committed to ensuring that the supply of brand new vehicles in the country is enhanced in order to boost the effective and efficient transportation of people , goods and services.
ZANIS reports that the Transport and Communications Deputy Minister was speaking during the Yet Motors Limited Commercial Cocktail in Lusaka last night.
He stressed that it is high time that Zambians were accorded an opportunity to buy new vehicles as opposed to the current trend where the few vehicles found on the market failed to meet the required standards.
Col. Kaunda said Government’s vision is to have a country where people can buy new vehicles as this also plays a critical role in enhancing safety on the roads.
He appealed to players in the motor industry to provide incentives that will help people to afford to purchase brand new vehicles by providing possibility and affordability in payment terms.
Col. Kaunda further stated that the robust infrastructure development of roads, schools, and health facilities that government has embarked has provided an opportunity for the private sector to grow by acquiring contracts to execute these projects.
He said government is not only constructing roads but is also making sure that road signs and furniture are also included in order to enhance road safety.
Col. Kaunda said the supply of brand new commercial and industrial vehicles in the motor industry is of great interest to his ministry because the reported failure by contractors to execute contracts has mainly been because of lack of machinery and equipment which includes motor vehicles.
He stated that the enhanced supply of vehicles in the industry will afford Zambian contractors access to have equipment that are suitable to the industry.
FILE: MMD cadres during the Press conference held at party president Dr.Nevers Mumba’s residence
The MMD on the Copperbelt has charged that the UPND has become a corrupt party that wants to destroy the image of the former ruling party.
And the MMD copperbelt province spokesperson Peter Phiri says the party supports calls by MMD Die Hard coordinator Bowman Lusambo for UPND to stop bribing its members.
Mr Phiri says it is unfortunate that UPND is more concerned with bribing its members.
“To the UPND, as a Province we are on top on things. The only thing that we find shocking and unfortunate is the reaction by the UPND’s Copperbelt out going chairman Elisha Matambo to Lusambo’s statement. How can he say that MMD is dead when we have only been in the opposition for three years?” Mr Phiri asked.
“And for them it has been almost twenty years. Why have they not died?” Mr Phiri asked.
“The UPND should be the last party to wish the MMD bad. You see, the MMD has come a long way and now it has a tested leadership.”
He added; “The leadership of Dr Mumba is unique. Look at how he has managed to organise the party. Remember, it is difficulty for a party that was once in government to be this strong like the MMD.”
Mr Phiri also said the MMD on the Copperbelt will not take any attacks from the UPND.
” Let me remind Mr Matambo that the MMD is a bigger party than the UPND can think. It is not our policy and that of Dr Mumba to attack our fellow opposition but if they continue, we have no option but to protect our party,” Mr Phiri stated.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…”
(Proverbs 23:7, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Your imagination is extremely powerful. God created you as a visual being. Choosing the right images in your mind’s eye is important because your life will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. The way you see yourself in your mind’s eye, over time, will drop down into your heart and become your reality. If you’ll create a picture in your imagination of the way God sees you, then your life will move in that direction. You have to get your mind into agreement with God’s Word by meditating on it.
Every morning, you should wake up and picture yourself succeeding; picture yourself healthy and whole; picture yourself and your family not only being blessed, but being a bigger blessing to others. If you’ll keep the right images in front of you and always submit yourself to God with prayer and thanksgiving, you’ll see yourself the way God sees you and experience all that He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I come to You today giving every area of my mind and heart to You. Search my heart and show me what images I need to change to be in agreement with You. Thank You for equipping me with everything I need to live a life pleasing to You in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili on Saturday physcally confronted Ethiopian referee Bamlak Weyesa minutes after Nkana beat Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel 4-3 in a CAF Confederation Cup Group B match in Kitwe.
Weyesa awarded two controversial penalties to Etoile in this seven-goal thriller at Nkana Stadium in Wusakile.
Immediately after the final whistle, Kambwili rushed on to the pitch where he accused the ref of poor officiating.
Kambwili was later whisked away from the pitch as police escorted the ref to the dressing room.
The Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP has challenged government to state its position on the demand by parliamentarians for a pay-rise.
FODEP Executive Director Macdonald Chipenzi says it is surprising and unfortunate that government and the Patriotic Front (PF) party leadership have remained visibly invisible and mute on the demands by some parliamentarians to have their perks adjusted upwards despite the sprawling poverty and a 2-year unilaterally government imposed employment and wage freeze on civil servants on account of limited public funds.
Mr Chipenzi says FODEP expected parliamentarians to demand for the lifting of the employment and wage freeze on civil servants before advancing such demands.
“However, FODEP wishes to applaud the leadership of the opposition political parties among them the MMD, NAREP, UPND and Matero PF Member of Parliament Miles Sampa for categorically disagreeing with the parliamentarians on the demand for a pay-rise,” Mr Chipenzi states.
“The opposition political party leadership and Hon. Miles Sampa’s move to disagree with their parliamentarians has shown great leadership on this matter and Zambians expected the PF, as a political party and government, to follow-suit. More so, because the PF file and rank have been crusaders of applying the limited public resources equitably in order to improve social services to all people hence their silence on the demand becomes very suspicious of their commitment to this crusade,” He said.
“FODEP, therefore, would like to challenge the PF government to come out from the hiding den because its silence on this matter has the potential to raise serious public speculations and the government and the party risk being accused of propping the parliamentarians’ demands. Further, this conspicuous silence from government and PF as a political party is counterproductive on the debate especially that they hold the answer to the demands since they know how fat the government treasury is,” Mr Chipenzi has said in a statement.
He says the government has been quick at repelling citizens’ demands for a new people driven constitution on account that it has no money for the exercise but that the limited funds available were for poverty reduction and other social service delivery programmes.
“Does this silence denote agreement to the parliamentarians’ demands? Does the failure by government to clearly state its position a signature of its desire not to jeopardize the pending benefits to its members out of this pay-rise since Cabinet and deputy Ministers are likely to be beneficiaries?
Mr Chipenzi has challenged government spokespersons Dr. Katema and PF party leadership to tell the nation their positions respectively on the demands by parliamentarians for a pay-rise.
He has also appealed to the public not to demonize Mafinga Member of Parliament for raising the matter in parliament because without her, the nation would not have known that was the intentions of parliamentarians.
This is contained in a press statement released to the media by FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi.
Nkana ended their three-game CAF Confederation Cup win-less drought with a 4-3 victory over Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel in a Group B match played at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe on Saturday.
Nkana had recorded a home draw with two away defeats prior to this match that marked the return of coach Beston Chambeshi to his old club.
Goals from striker Ronald Kampamba, forward Festus Mbewe, winger Simon Bwalya and defender Christopher Munthali were enough for Nkana to beat Etoile and move to four points from four games played.
Striker Youssef Mouihbi opened the scoring with a 4th minute penalty before Kampamba equalised six minutes later and Festus added Nkana’s second in the 26th mninute.
The two teams went into the break with a 2-2 score-line after Safiane Moussa equalised for Etoile on 30 minutes.
Nkana were back in front three minutes after the restart thanks to Bwalya’s goal before Munthali scored the home side’s fourth seven minutes later.
