Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Poniso Njeulu, says pirated audio visual products worth over K9 million have been seized
throughout the country this year.

Mr Njeulu says it is sad that the country has continued to be robbed of the needed revenue through piracy, adding that there is need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders if the fight is to be won.

He said government has declared a zero tolerance against piracy, adding that this will be achieved through the review of the Patents, Trademarks, and Companies Act and the introduction of the hologram, a security feature which by law should be affixed on all audio visual works for sale on the Zambian market.

ZANIS reports that the Deputy Minister said this during the destruction of pirated audio visual products worth over K2 million in Mansa.

Mr Njeulu has since commended law enforcement agencies for working tirelessly in stamping out piracy.

Earlier, Luapula Province Minister, Benson Kapaya, commended the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services for intensifying the fight against piracy in the country.

Gen Kapaya observed that Luapula Province has talented individuals in various arts disciplines who, if protected, can contribute significantly to job and wealth creation in the country.

He said this in a speech read for him by Luapula Province Assistant Secretary, Joshua Kamanya.

A multitude of PF members from Shikombwe ward in Mangango constituency yesterday stormed the office of Kaoma district commissioner demanding to be told why Taundi Chiseke, the former Member of Parliament, has not been adopted to re-contest his former position.

The group of about 200 discontented members led by Mr Albert Mubanga and Ms Mirriam Kashwashwa said the decision by the PF leadership to field Rogers Lingweshi as PF candidate for the Mangango by-election will cause the party to lose the August 19 polls.

The PF members contended that the constituents were not consulted and were displeased with their national chairperson Inonge Wina and the chairperson for elections, Sylvia Masebo whom they accused of not respecting the people’s wishes.

And Kaoma district commissioner Joster Manjolo told the irate PF cadres to exercise restraint as their preferred candidate had some legal impediments which hindered his candidature and urged them to unite so that the PF could emerge victorious after the by-election.

Mr Manjolo said the PF is on course to deliver development to all the people in Mangango constituency in accordance to the party manifesto that led the political organisation to assume power in 2011.

Meanwhile, UPND’s Kenny Ndumba warned that if the Electoral Commission of Zambia halts the on-going campaigns in the constituency, then the UPND they will have no alternative but to seek an injunction to restrain the continuation of the by-election.

Mr Ndumba said the UPND is geared to win the Mangango by-election because its candidate Godwin Putu is popular in the area, adding that the PF should seek to test the popularity of the party in the constituency.

He said that when he was a campaign manager for the two former MPs Akakandelwa Mwendoi and Taundi Chiseke he worked hard and that saw the duo win the elections, saying he was confident that even in this year’s by-election the UPND candidate, whom he is backing, will not yield positive results.

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby ZNWL has challenged stakeholders in the country to take practical steps towards ensuring that more women are put in decision making position if the nation is to make major strides in development.

ZNWL Executive Director Juliet Chibuta said gender equality is a key ingredient to development hence the need to have equal participation in the country’s decision making positions.

Speaking at the launch of the gender audit research handbook in Lusaka today Ms. Chibuta said the country still has a long way to go in attaining meaningful gender representation in key decision making positions in both the private and public institutions.

Ms Chibuta explained that the Gender Audit was initiated so as to have a true picture of women’s representation in decision making positions in various institutions and that the findings provides a mirror for organisations in diverse sectors to see the gender balance in their management structures which will help them compare themselves to others in the sector.

She noted that though sidelined, it has been proved that women are prudent managers than men as can be seen from the 2012 research by Credit Suisse on Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership which indicated that it was more profitable to invest in companies that had women in management.

And Ms Chibuta has noted the need to prioritize gender mainstreaming interventions for the socio-economic empowerment in the country.

She also explained that it is anticipated that the audit will promote greater involvement of women in decision making processes and structures.

Meanwhile Ms. Chibuta explained that today’s launch will be followed by audits every year so as to ascertain women’s participation in decision making positions.

Ms. Chibuta implored or stakeholders to ensure that practical steps are put in place which will ensure gender equality in institutions.

She noted that political parties should not only use women to win votes but also make sure that they are given chances to stand as candidates at local government and parliamentary levels respectively.

MINISTER of Justice, Wynter Kabimba, has observed that it is becoming increasingly credible that various forms of instability in Africa were being caused by forces outside the continent.

Mr. Kabimba noted that the school of thought which held that the causes of constitutional instability, for instance, were located outside Africa and driven by forces whose interests were not Africa’s interests, was firmly gaining ground today. He hoped the continent could acknowledge the importance of African unity and solidarity in addressing the problem.

Mr. Kabimba was speaking in his capacity as president of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP) at the opening of a two-day experts’ workshop on constitutionalism and the rule of law in Pretoria on Monday.

CAPP is a forum of political parties on the African continent who have come together in unity to pursue the objectives of achieving the goals of a prosperous and peaceful continent.

The workshop, which has drawn participants from over 20 African countries, is meant to brainstorm around expanding the African Union (AU) doctrine on unconstitutional changes of government and to engage stakeholders in promoting and implementing the African Charter on democracy, elections and governance.

Mr. Kabimba said the workshop represented one of the many platforms for actualising some of the essential aspects of mutual aspirations and the basis of the cooperation, which is constitutionalism and the rule of law, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the AU in 2013. The MOU aims to strengthen institutional ties and cooperation in delivering programmes and activities aimed at promoting democracy, good governance, human and people’s rights, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Africa.

He hoped that while drawing attention to resolving the questions of unconstitutional change of government, popular uprising and all other aspects connected to the issues of constitutionalism and the rule of law, the main causes giving rise to unstable governments and the lack of respect for the rule of law would be candidly dealt with.

The Minister said it was gratifying to note that the workshop would provide opportunities for CAPP and other stakeholders to further explore areas of collaboration, synergies and complementation. It will also provide as an opportunity for the parties to interrogate ways of enhancing the capacity of organisations such as CAPP and the African Conference on Constitutional Court to enhance their effectiveness.

And South Africa’s Chief Justice, Mr. Mogoeng Mogoeng, called for immediate measures to address all factors that have been identified in order to improve on the rule of law in Africa.

Mr. Mogoeng, who is also vice-president of the African Conference of Constitutional Courts, said the Judiciary has to be insulated from interference from external forces if constitutionalism was to be guaranteed.

He said the continent should also be alive to the fact that the Judiciary had some corrupt elements that were compromising the drive to instil constitutionalism and the rule of law in systems of most African countries. He said the Judiciary should not only be independent but also be accountable to the people.

Mr. Mogoeng said the Judiciary in Africa has been sidelined from playing its part in ensuring the rule of law. He called for the urgent introduction of regional courts on the continent.

And International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) regional director, Ambassador Moorad Mustaq, urged the participants to brainstorm on whether the AU set aside its own rules when it readmitted Egypt after being suspended following instability in the country’s leadership in the last few months.

The workshop, which runs until 16th July, 2014, is organised by the AU’s Department of Political Affairs through International IDEA.

Civil Rights Activist Brebner Changala has re-submitted his writ of Mandamus for judicial review in which he is seeking relief on the decision or indecision by Cabinet to consider the question of the physical and mental capacity of President Michael Sata.

This is despite the High Court’s earlier decision to dismiss his initial application for judicial review in a matter he asked the court to constitute a medical board to examine the health of President Sata.

Mr. Changala says he re-submitted his writ of Mandamus this morning in the same court through his Lawyer Makebi Zulu.

He states that despite his re-submitted writ of Mandamus retaining the same content as the earlier writ dismissed on grounds that it lacked merit and was frivolous and vexatious, he is hopeful that his matter will considered on merit.

He says only this time he wants three Judges to look at the matter and for the court to allow him being the applicant, and the Attorney General, who is the respondent, to be heard.

Mr. Changala says his ultimate goal to push for the establishment of a medical board to examine the health of President Sata, is to ensure that the Head of State is working for the very purpose that he was elected by the Zambian people.

Vice President Guy Scott has refuted a rumor circulating on social media that he has been relieved of his duties following a Cabinet meeting which President Michael Sata chaired at State House today.

The rumor circulating on social media is suggesting that his alleged dismissal as republican Vice President could be in connection with the recent remarks he made insinuating that Mulenga Sata, the son of the President, who is also Lusaka Mayor is excluded from vying for the position of republican President because of the parentage clause.

But Dr. Scott has told Qfm news in an exclusive telephone interview that as far as he is aware there is nothing of that nature that has happened.

Dr. Scott says if there was such a development there could have been a written statement from State House confirming his alleged dismissal.

He says this is why he thinks people circulating such rumor about his alleged dismissal may only be passing time.