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YOUTH and Sport Minister, Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday evening visited President Sata’s son, Kazimu, who is admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mr. Kambwili, who was accompanied by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde, also visited Tiberth Musambachime who is admitted to the same hospital. The two were evacuated to South Africa, for specialist treatment for injuries suffered in a road traffic accident in Kitwe a week ago.
Meanwhile, medical personnel at Milpark Hospital have praised their counterparts at Wusakile Hospital in Kitwe for the medical procedures that they conducted on Kazimu and Tiberth during the time the two were admitted to the Zambian hospital.
Mr. Kambwili said doctors at Milpark Hospital pointed out to him that it was going to be difficult for them had medical personnel at Wusakile not performed the medical procedures that they did on the two.
“So it’s like the people at Wusakile Hospital did a good job. Wusakile knew what they were doing hence it was easy for the medical personnel at Milpark to pick it up,” Mr. Kambwili said.
The Minister said he was glad that he found that Kazimu had made tremendous progress after going to Theatre on Monday evening.
“The young man is picking up. He was in a jovial mood and we joked and laughed. The doctors told me that there is tremendous improvement.”
Mr. Kambwili said Tiberth had also shown good signs of recovery after under-going an operation yesterday. He was happy that the two were likely to be discharged soon.
Mr. Kambwili said as Minister in charge of the youth, he felt duty bound to visit the two patients whom he said fell within the age-group of citizens that he represented.
“Besides all that, we are a family as Zambians and it is within our culture to be there for each other in times of distress.
Mr. Kambwili was received by Kazimu’s and Tiberth’s mothers, respectively.
On Saturday, President Sata, accompanied by First Lady, Christine Kaseba-Sata, visited Kazimu. The President also took time to see Tiberth.
Zambia’s Fourth President, Mr. Rupiah Banda, has also visited Kazimu. Minister Kambwili with Kazimu
Minister Kambwili with KazimuMinister Kambwili with Tiberth
Parliament heard yesterday that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General will advise on the roadmap and steps to be undertaken on the draft constitution once the document is tabled before Cabinet.
Government has maintained that there is a functional constitution in place. Acting Leader of Government Business in parliament Edgar Lungu says government would depend on the learned counsel of Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and acting Attorney General Musa Mwenye on the roadmap to enacting a people driven Constitution.
Mr. Lungu who is the Minister of Defence said the PF Government is keen to follow the legal framework without ‘injuring’ the Zambian people.
He said this when he presented a ministerial statement in Parliament today that government is fully alive to the time-frame and will give Zambians a people driven constitution.
Last week, United Party for National Development (UPND) Mazabuka Central MP Garry Nkombo raised a point of order to find out an update on the draft constitution and which level the document was at.
Mr. Lungu reiterated that the issues of the constitutional making process is not a dead-one as government was addressing a lot of issues among them education, health, roads and others.
He added that the PF Government is determined to implement and fulfill its 2011 campaign promises as others have already been fulfilled.
He denied that the PF Government is changing goal posts on the draft constitution document but that the Zambian people would judge for themselves.
Mr Lungu said Zambia still has a functional constitution that can be used at the moment untill the draft was ready .
“The current constitution is still functioning and we can use it until the new constitution is out,” Mr. Lungu said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mkhondo Lungu yesterday afternoon threatened to send the entire members of the executive bench out for allegedly making noise in the House.
Mr. Lungu in guiding the House observed that the front bench had made noise for the second time translating that it had breached the parliamentary procedures.
“Please, order, order…..You risk the whole bench on my right being sent away from the House. This is the second time l’m saying observe order in the House,” the Deputy Speaker warned.
Meanwhile, the House also heard that Government would consider increasing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation to rural-based constituencies.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda informed Parliament he was concerned that rural-based constituencies were receiving the same amount as those based in urban locations.
Mr Chikwanda said Cabinet would seek the guidance of parliamentary committee on the matter to enhance an all-inclusive governance approach.
“Allocating CDF equally to all constituencies is not fair, as rural constituencies face serious challenges compared to urban-based constituencies. We hope the relevant parliamentary committee will guide us on this issue and how we can go about it to ensure there is fair distribution of resources,” Mr Chikanda said in response to a concern raised by Chadiza MMD MP, Allan Mbewe.
And Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mkhondo Lungu advised MPs not to be derailed by comments from members of the public on calls for their increased emoluments.
Mr Lungu said this when he made a ruling on a point of order raised by MMD Mafinga MP Catherine Namugala who expressed concern over reactions from the public indicating outrage on the issue of increasing emoluments for MPs.
“Don’t get derailed by comments coming from outside, I have also heard them but if you concentrate on them, we will not function as a House,” Mr Lungu said. “We know the challenges we face in the constituencies and so we should not be deterred by attacks.”
Parliament would resume sittings in September ahead of the presentation of the 2015 national Budget.
THE running of the Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) will be decentralised by August 1 this year and not that the two countries will split the company as earlier reported, the Tanzanian government has clarified.
Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport permanent secretary Shaaban Mwinjaka said in a statement yesterday that effective August 1, 2014, TAZARA operations will be decentralised as the powers to run the company would be given to the regions (Tanzania and Zambia).
Dr Shaaban said the arrangement would be monitored for a period of six months and reviewed thereafter.
He, however, said some media had misunderstood the announcement made by the Tanzanian minister of Transport Harrison Mwakyembe at a Press conference on July 14 this year concerning the decentralisation to mean a split of Zambia and Tanzania in the running of the railway company discussed at the Council of Ministers earlier.
The Council of Ministers for TAZARA comprising ministers for Transport, Finance and Commerce from the governments of Tanzania and Zambia held its 60th meeting in Lusaka on July 4, 2014.
Dr Shaaban said the resolutions the Council made were to decentralise the head office as Article 4 Section (iv) of the TAZARA Act No.4 of 1995 provided for that.
In the decentralised arrangement, the regions shall be empowered to be productive and operate more commercially, while the head office shall remain with the role of policy-making, regulation, control and supervision.
“It must be noted that the ownership of TAZARA remains unitary. It must also be noted that the freight trains will continue to run from Dar-es-Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi, and vice versa, as the case has been in the past,” Dr Shaaban said.
The TAZARA Council also approved the injection of US$80 million into the TAZARA budget for the year 2014/2015 for the purpose of recapitalisation and working capital of which $9.2 million would be released immediately for clearing of workers’ salary arrears, among other commitments.
It also resolved that the process of appointing and confirming officers in higher positions of the company was expected to be concluded in August this year and that the regions would start passenger train services within their regions.
The statement was released by TAZARA head of communications Conrad Simuchile.
Meanwhile, TAZARA unionised staff in Kapiri Mposhi went on strike on Tuesday and the company was forced to refund all the passengers that were to travel with the Mukuba Express Train that was scheduled to depart for Dar-es-Salaam at 16:00hrs.
Mr Simuchile confirmed the strike of the workers who were demanding their unpaid salaries.
He said the workers blocked the passenger train from leaving Kapiri Mposhi.
Mr Simuchile said 101 passengers bought tickets worth K20,584.40 of whom 55 were travelling to Tanzania and 46 were traveling within Zambia.
Unionised workers in Mpika two weeks ago also protested against non-payment of salary arrears during which they damaged some company property and forced some travellers to move to another train.
Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development President Edith Nawakwi has called on the ruling Patriotic Front Government to stop mocking small scale farmers in the country with their “high moisture content” excuse for not buying their maize.
And the opposition leader says economic decentralization is key to reducing poverty and corruption in the country.
Speaking when she addressed scores of officials from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy, United Party for National Development and the ruling Patriotic Front who defected to her party Ms. Nawakwi said the PF should stop cheating farmers across the country but instead confess that they don’t have money to pay the farmers for their produce.
Ms. Nawakwi wondered why there is still high moisture content in the maize when farmers have always sold their produce in May or June hence the story of high moisture is a fabrication of lies concocted by government to deceive the farmers.
“This Government should not be lying to you that your maize has high moisture content; why should your maize have high moisture content when we didn’t have enough rains? Why should your maize have high moisture when it wasn’t very cold this year? These people do not have money to pay you that the reason they are telling that.
“These people have a problem; they deliver inputs late and when they deliver the inputs they give you in gallons what can you do with a gallon of fertilizer? Now they announce that they will start purchasing maize on 1st July but because they don’t have money they start lying that maize has high moisture content. Where have you head of high moisture content in August?” Wondered the opposition leader who spoke in the local language.
She added “these people want to buy your maize in September when it is too dry and light so that they get a lot of maize at a cheap price because your 50KGs won’t being weighing that much in September.”
And the opposition leader has observed country can only develop and significantly reduce poverty as well as corruption if economic and resource disbursement decisions is taken to the grassroots.
Ms. Nawakwi said her party believes that economic decentralization is key to realizing the country’s full developmental potential.
She said by decentralizing the disbursement of funds locals will be participating in the developmental agenda as well as channeling funds to the needed areas in there respective districts as opposed to a person seated in Lusaka deciding for the majority.
Ms. Nawakwi explained their party manifesto clearly indicates how money will be shared among districts so that people in respective districts decide collectively on what is needed and how it should be implemented.
Meanwhile Eastern Province PF provincial and Katete District Executive committee, MMD Sinda Constituency Chairperson and his counterpart from the UPND together with their Executive committees have ditched their parties for the FDD.
The officials said the had decided to renounce their parties because FDD offered new hope for the country under the leadership of Ms. Nawakwi who is a mature politician and understands the challenges that the country is going through.
Government has confirmed the abduction of a Zambian citizen identified as Felix Ngoma working for the International Organisation for Migration by the Janjaweed rebel group in Sudanese Darfur region.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba however disclosed that a hostage management team has been set up to negotiate with the gunmen who are demanding a ransom of 1 million dollars.
He told a media briefing that government is constantly in contact with the IOM Office in Lusaka adding that Mr. Ngoma who was abducted on 6th July 2014 is kept well and his release is likely.
“Mr Ngoma is said to have been on his way from IOM offices to his residence located 5 KM from IOM offices when he was intercepted. The gunmen contacted IOM office to inform them that they had abducted Mr Ngoma and demanded a ransom to be paid.
The gunmen are demanding US$ 1 million before releasing Mr Ngoma,” Mr Kalaba said.
He added, “IOM has quietly been negotiating with the gunmen and have kept government and Mr Ngoma’s family well informed and have assured all concerned that the organisation was doing everything possible to secure his release.”
Mr Kalaba revealed that the Zambian Government has authorized Ambassador Sinjela of Geneva to be liaison person for Zambia and information as of today is that Mr Ngoma is kept well and is in good health and that his release is imminent.
And Mr. Kalaba has implored Zambians working in trouble spots to exercise caution.
Meanwhile, Mr Kalaba revealed that Government has re-called a Zambian Diplomat implicated in a sexual assault case in the United Kingdom.
He said the Ministry took remedial measures and recalled the diplomat after receiving the report while the matter involving the person who was implicated in drunken driving is being dealt with.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) recently revealed a list of the most serious alleged offences in 2013, including representatives from Pakistan accused of rape and child abduction, and a Zambian diplomat implicated in a sexual assault case.
And Mr. Kalaba also revealed that Zambian High Commissioner to Nigeria Seleman Banda has been recalled as a result of certain things that were happening that were not in tandem with diplomatic etiquette.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba says efforts are being made to secure the release of a Zambian humanitarian worker Felix Ngoma who was abducted in the volatile Sudanese region of Darfur by suspected Janjaweed militia.
Mr. Ngoma, who works for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is said to have been held hostage for almost two weeks now.
Mr. Kalaba has told Parliament this afternoon that he was this morning briefed by the Zambian mission in Geneva on how much progress has been made to free Mr.Ngoma.
He says due to the sensitive nature of matter and to avoid endangering Mr. Ngoma’s life, his Ministry has been acting with a lot of restraint and working discreetly to secure his release.
The Foreign Affairs Minister was responding to a Point of Order raised by Monze UPND Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu who sought Deputy Speaker Mkhondo Lungu’s ruling on whether government was in order to remain silent over the kidnapping of the Zambian humanitarian worke
File picture:Former President Banda and former First Lady Thandiwe interact with deaf children at an orphanage in Lusaka.
The Zambia National Association of the Deaf has petitioned the Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission to consider employing sign language interpreters in courts and public institutions to assist deaf people access justice.
Two Sign language teachers from Munali girls and Matero secondary schools in Lusaka today told the Justice Fredrick Chomba led Commission that deaf people in Zambia cannot access justice in the courts of law and police stations because of poor communication.
Both Adrina Nchimunya and Lizzy Kamukwamba disclosed that a number of deaf people have been convicted by the courts of law because they could not express themselves in a language Judges could understand.
Ms. Nchimunya said both at police stations and in courts, there are no sign language interpreters to represent the deaf people once arrested.
She appealed to the Commission to consider advising government to either provide training to police officers and lawyers in sign language or employ interpreters to translate to the adjudicators the cases of the deaf as opposed to the current situation where police officers arrest and charge deaf people without hearing them out.
But chairman of the Commission Justice Frederick Chomba advised the petitioners to provide the details of the cases so that it could follow up the matter.
Justice Chomba noted that if the matters presented before the Commission were true, then there was need to seriously engage interpreters to help the deaf people.
And Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Lee Habasonda stated that the Commission can only recommend for the engagement of interpreters only if the number of deaf people is huge.
Mr. Habasonda stated that the scenario that deaf people are not given proper representation in courts needs to be addressed to allow all citizens to access justice without difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Commission has heard that the Zambian judiciary, its judges and lawyers are overprotected to be criticized or prosecuted by members of the public if found wanting.
A petitioner Michael Chiti told Justice Chomba led commission that judges and lawyers are too protective of each other such that even if one lawyers errors, no one can succeed to have prosecute such an officer.
Mr. Chiti narrated a case involving a foreign lawyer who is alleged to have bribed the judges and the Law Association of Zambia’s Complaints Committee over a matter he is said to have swindled his company and the group a lot of money.
Mr. Chiti disclosed that his case has been pending at the LAZ complaints committee for over 7 years and that the Anti-Corruption Commission has been informed but no action has been taken.
Both the Commission Chairperson and the Commissioner from the ACC, Ireene Lamba assured Mr. Chiti that the matter will be considered once he provides documented evidence.
Former Republican Vice President and Heritage Party Leader Godfrey Miyanda has submitted to the Legal and Justice Reforms Sector Commission that the Zambian constitution was sufficient enough to warrant citizens rights and freedoms if implementers of the law interpreted it correctly.
And Brigadier General Miyanda told the Commission that the Zambian society should not give room or accept what he called uncultural practices such as homosexuality to be included in the laws of the land.
In his petition to the Justice Fredrick Chomba led Commission today, Brig Gen Miyanda said the law enforcement agencies such as the police need to be trained to interpret the law correctly to avoid wrongly arresting innocent citizens in the name of enforcing the law.
He referred to Section 2 of the Penal Code which contains the Public Order as one of the most abused law by Police officers.
As opposed to some people who call for the removal of public Order Act, Brig Gen Miyanda praised the Act but noted that enforcement officers have made it look like a bad clause because of the way they interpreted it.
He explained that removal of the clause would bring chaos in the country but warned the authorities against using it to frustrate or persecute the opposition political parties.
He also condemned the police for arresting and searching private properties of citizens without proper justification saying such was an act of injustice.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Miyanda has stated that legalization of homosexuality and marijuana should not be tolerated in the Zambia society as it was against cultural values.
He noted that the appeal by some petitioners that homosexuality be allowed in Zambia in the name of human rights for the minority should not be entertained.
And Brig Gen Miyanda told the Commission that the Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA) is assaulting the privacy of the Zambia citizens by coming up with a law to register all simcards for communication devises.
He noted that it was improper for ZICTA to allow mobile service providers that include foreigners to monitor phone conversations of citizens which he said were against the Bill of Rights.
The Legal and Justice Sector Reform Commission started public sittings in Lusaka yesterday and about nine petitioners have since appeared before it.
The ruling Patriot Front says President Sata has other innovative means of communicating with Zambians than holding a news conference.
PF Director of Communications Chanda Mfula said the issue of President Sata’s failure to hold a news conference since becoming President is non-issue for the PF.
Mr Mfula said President Sata has his own style of communicating with citizens which is different from past Zambian Presidents.
He was speaking Wednesday morning when he featured on Hot FM’s Red Hot Breakfast Show.
“He prefers using his own innovative style to communicate. Sometimes if he has something to say he would even allow news Reporters into State House just before Cabinet meeting and the Reporters would even get sound bites,” Mr Mfula said.
He said Government’s communication needs are well taken care of President Sata’s Spokesperson George Chellah.
“President Sata has a very intelligent Spokesperson, a very shrewd Spokesperson who adequately speaks for the Office of the President and the nation and the party is happy with the flow of information,” he said.
Mr Mfula added, “President Sata does not believe in holding news conferences in the gardens at State House and have everybody gather including monkeys jumping around. That is not his style and he has adopted other innovative ways of communicating with the people.”
Mr Mfula also defended the personality of PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba describing him as a very good man.
“I think it’s typical for people to talk about other people whom they have never even met. Some people have expressed shock after meeting Mr Kabimba and getting to know how humble he is, they have come back to me saying they didn’t know that the man was that humble,” he said.
He added, “I have worked closely with Mr Kabimba since 2012 and I can tell you that he is a very good man, a gentleman at that and I just wish people would get to him well.”
1 Timothy Hatyoka (left) and his wife Elizabeth (right) outside their house in Hamukanchali Village in Monze District during his 100th birthday celebrations
2 Timothy Hatyoka (left) and his wife Elizabeth (right) outside their house in Hamukanchali Village in Monze District during his 100th birthday celebrations
3 Some onlookers helplessly watch the remains of spilt imported beer products in Livingstone .This was after a foreign truck with registration number N74152W overturned near Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) entrance to Mosi-oa-tunya National Park along Livingstone-Kazungula road
4 Some onlookers helplessly watch the remains of spilt imported beer products in Livingstone .This was after a foreign truck with registration number N74152W overturned near Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) entrance to Mosi-oa-tunya National Park along Livingstone-Kazungula road
5 Kazungula District Commissioner Pascalina Musokotwane (middle) takes to task a truck driver (inside the truck) in Livingstone. This was after a foreign truck carrying imported beer with registration number N74152W overturned near Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) entrance to Mosi-oa-tunya National Park along Livingstone-Kazungula road
6 The Chingwere dump site in Lusaka has been over run by people who collect recyclable materials for sale. But the intruders, such as this woman, endanger their lives because of lacking safety gear to protect themselves from the dangerous materials they come in contact with
7 The Chingwere dump site in Lusaka has been over run by people who collect recyclable materials for sale. But the intruders, such as these women, endanger their lives because of lacking safety gear to protect themselves from the dangerous materials they come in contact with.
8 The Chingwere dump site in Lusaka has been over run by people who collect recyclable materials for sale. But the intruders, such as these women, endanger their lives because of lacking safety gear to protect themselves from the dangerous materials they come in contact with.
9 Western Province Police Commissioner Lombe Kamukoshi (c) welcomes Defense Minister Edgar Lungu (l) at Mongu Airport during an Official Visit in Mongu District, Western Province
10 Defense Minister Edgar Lungu inspects the Quarter Guard mounted by Zambia Army Western Region Headquarters during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province
11 Defense Minister Edgar Lungu climbing to inspect the progress of the bridge on the Mongu –Kalabo Road Project during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province,
Defense Minister Edgar Lungu (c) on top of the bridge listens to Ranking Consulting Engineers Bridge Engineer Amenaw Muluneh Bachore (r) as Western Province PS Augustine Seyuba (l) looks on, on the Mongu –Kalabo Road Project during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province
12 Defense Minister Edgar Lungu (c) with Western Province PS Augustine Seyuba (l) inspecting Mongu Township Road works on Independence Road during an Official visit in Mongu District, Western Province
13 Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika at Kaputa district Stand during the Provincial Agriculture Investment and Tourism show held at Kasama sports stadium recently. Looking on is police commissioner Charity Katanga
14 Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika listen to an exhibitor John Mukupa during his tour of stands at the Provincial Agriculture Investment and Tourism show held at Kasama sports stadium recently. Looking on is Kasama Major John Nkumbula and Police Commissioner Charity Katanga
15 Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika and Kasama Major John Nkumbula looks at marijuana at the Drug Enforcement Commission stand in Kasama during his tour of stands at the Provincial Agriculture Investment and Tourism show held at Kasama sports stadium recently
16 Communications , Transport, Works and Supply Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda (left) with Central Province Acting PS Ronald Sinyangwe touring Zambia Railways Workshop in Kabwe
17 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
18 Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina (left) talks to Pan Africa Women Entrepreneurship Programme President Sylvia Banda at the opening of the national women economic empowerment jubilee expo at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka recently.
19 Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina (centre) interacts with delegates attending the national women economic empowerment jubilee expo at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka recently
20 Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina (right) talks to Pan Africa Women Entrepreneurship Programme President Sylvia Banda at the opening of the national women economic empowerment jubilee expo at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka recently
21 Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina (right) talks to Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor (Administration) Dr Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula at the opening of the national women economic empowerment jubilee expo at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka recently
22 Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina (left) talks to Deputy Minister Obius Chisala (centre) and Permanent Secretary Daisy N’gambi at the opening of the national women economic empowerment jubilee expo at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka recently
23 Musician Mozegeta (left) and his dancing queen (right) entertaining residents in Livingstone at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS)
24 Musician Mozegeta ( second from left) and his dancing queen entertaining residents in Livingstone at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS)
25 Livingstone youths and children dancing the Make a Circle song by a musician Mozegeta (not in picture) at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS).
26 Livingstone youths and children dancing the Make a Circle song by a musician Mozegeta (not in picture) at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS).
27 Children playing on the jumping castle at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS).
28 Children playing on the jumping castle at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS).
29 Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe at the official opening of the show with ZAWA staff
30 Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe at the official opening of the show with ZAWA staff
31 FOOD being sold less than two meters away from a nose pinching stench releasing blocked drainage at Lusaka’s City market
32 Indiscriminate disposal and burning of waste causing an obvious high pollution levels at Lusaka’s City Market.
33 Second hand clothes traders seemingly used to the chocking smoky environment were waste is indiscriminately disposed and burnt at Lusaka’s City Market
34 ZESCO spokesperson Henry Kapata (right) talks to a client at his firm’s pavilion yesterday during the ongoing eighth Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS) in Livingstone
35 ZNBC’s Angela Limwanya (right) interviewing ZTB tourism promotion manager Jocelyn Mutinta (right) at ZTB pavilion yesterday during the ongoing eighth Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS) in Livingstone
36 ZNBC’s Mercy Ngoma (far left) interviewing pupils (right) at the company pavilion in Livingstone at the just ended 8th Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS)
37 Power Dynamos Captain Emmanuel Chimpinde (left) is dragged back by Kabwe Warriors player Michael Katongo during week 16 FAZ- MTN Premier league game played at Ucar Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe yesterday . Power won by 3 – 2
38 Kabwe Warriors striker Owen Mwendabai (left) in an aerial fight for the ball with Power Dynamos Defender Kamuzati Kabwe during FAZ – MTN week 16 match played at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe . Power beat Warriors 3- 2
39 Kabwe Warriors Striker Brian Mwila (right) fighting for the Ball with Power Dynamos Defender Mutale Billy during week 16 FAZ- MTN Premier league game played at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe yesterday . Power won by 3 – 2
40 Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe at the official opening of the show with ZAWA staff
United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has condemned the culture of vengeance, vindictiveness and retribution allegedly being perpetrated by the Patriotic Front (PF).
And Mr Hichilema says the enactment of the new Constitution would be the priority of the UPND if the opposition political party formed government after the 2016 general elections.
Mr Hichilema has since pledged to heal the country by stopping political witch hunt that has seen leaders of the previous government being persecuted should Zambians give him the privilege to govern the country.
He said he was a man who loathed vindictiveness and retribution because such evils were only dividing the country and created hatred amongst citizens.
Featuring at Millennium Radio yesterday, Mr Hichilema said a lot of resources were being wasted in pursuing and victimizing perceived political opponents.
He said his government would endevour to unite the country and concentrate on rebuilding the country’s economy that was currently bleeding.
The UPND leader said he had been a victim of vindictiveness and retribution under the PF government and did not want the leaders in the ruling party to suffer the same way he had but would rather they remained free and marvel at how best the country would be managed.
He said he had been beaten, arrested and locked up in filthy police cells on tramped up political charges adding it was a blessing that the PF had made him test the evils of political persecution and victimization.
Mr Hichilema said he was praying for President Michael Sata to live much longer so that he could be defeated him in the next general elections and have an opportunity to see how best and efficiently to run the affairs of the country as well as learn that it was not necessary to brutalize citizens.
Mr Hichilema recounted the number of times when he had fallen victim to the outdated and draconian Public Order Act (POA) the PF was implementing against the opposition political party leaders as well as the civil society organisations.
[pullquote]Why should the poor Zambians build a house for a retired president? The Principle is that we do not seek public office to get higher salaries.[/pullquote]
“I do not believe in vindictiveness, retribution and vengeance because these evils have only managed to breed hatred among Zambians.
It does not please me to see people being persecuted for no discernible reason other than pure vengeance. We have wasted a lot of public money witch-hunting. The UPND will not waste time pursuing the leaders from the PF but will give them chance to enjoy their freedom and marvel at how best we are going to manage the affairs of the country. I have been arrested and thrown in the worst police cells and I thank God that he allowed Zambians to test the poor leadership of the PF,” Mr Hichilema said.
Meanwhile Mr Hichilema said the UPND in government would abolish the law of former presidents being built a retirement house after leaving the office of president.
Mr Hichilema said any person aspiring to lead the country must have his own house and should not punish the poor citizens by demanding for a retirement house.
The UPND leader also condemned the Members of Parliament (MPs) demanding an increase in their salaries stating that it was morally incorrect for Parliamentarians to demand more money than the nurses who were serving lives.
He said the National Assembly and State House were not a means of making oneself rich but the institutions were meant to serve Zambians.
“I will not need Zambians to build me a retirement house after serving the country as president. Any leader aspiring to govern the country must have his own house.
Why should the poor Zambians build a house for a retired president? The Principle is that we do not seek public office to get higher salaries.
The MPs should not demand higher salaries than the nurses. State House and Parliament are not for making money but to serve the people,” Mr Hichilema said.
Success in the recovery of the K14 billion Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) loan from defunct Zambian Airways directors will benefit Zambians because the money will be made available to many other Zambians seeking to capitalize their businesses.
It is for this reason that the Zambian Voice, a civil rights organization must be allowed to join DBZ to vigorously pursue recovery of the loan because government had attempted to remove the matter from court to avoid pursuing the debt, which if fully recovered would benefit Zambians.
Addressing the High Court yesterday, Joshua Zimba, from Makebi Zulu Advocates, argued that in the tax-payers interest that the Zambian Voice executive director Chilufya Tayali should be allowed to join the matter to ensure that the K14 billion DBZ loan, which according to Judge Nigel Mutuna was obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation, was fully recovered.
Mr Zimba was arguing against opposition of joinder by the DBZ and its lawyer Buta Gondwe who did not want Mr Tayali to join the matter.
DBZ lawyer Buta Gonwe objected to the application by Mr Tayali to join in the matter arguing that the joinder would put the bank into disrepute.
Mr Tayali argued that it was unmistakable that DBZ existed to serve public good and that was why he was determined to be part of the public in pursuing that the loan be paid.
He said it was only logical that he should be allowed to join in the matter because Zambians as tax-paying citizens had an interest in the financial fortunes of DBZ.
He stated that the High Court should take judicial notice of the fact that DBZ was not a private entity and that Zambians had real stake in it.
He argued that the failure by the Attorney general who is the custodian of public interest to join in the proceedings could therefore not hinder conscientious Zambian orgainisations such as the Zambian Voice taking an interest in DBZ especially when there was a possibility that the tax-paying public would be denied the benefit of having money owed to their institution paid back.
“There have been attempts on the part of the government to avoid the pursuit of the debt which if paid would benefit the applicant as well as other tax payers. It is thus with this noted public interest that the application was filed and there is no bar in bringing the application as the matter has since commenced de novo,” Mr Tayali said.
Mr Tayali said he was intending to join in the pursuing the DBZ loan as a derivative action as a beneficiary under the contract entered into by DBZ.
And the defence lawyers John Sangwa and Nchima Nchito argued that Mr Tayali did not have locus standi in his application and that the matter was resjudicata because the matter had been decided.
But lawyer Gilbert Phiri said there was no hindrance for Mr Tayali to be joined because the matter was starting de novo in the High Court meaning that previous decisions did not stand and that the Zambian Voice chief was completely in order to join in the matter.
Ruling has been reserved.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Mkhondo Lungu (r) converses with PCC Chairperson Hon. Munji Habeenzu during the Launch of the Parliamentary Caucus on Children Strategic Plan 2012-2016 at Raddison blu Hotel.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mukondo Lungu has said that newly ratified Attorney General Musa Mwenye can perform the functions of the office of the Attorney General while he is waiting to take the oath of allegiance.
In making a ruling on a point of order raised by Choma Central United Party for National Development (UPND) member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa who wanted to find out the legality of the documents signed by Mr Mwenye and laid on the table of the House when the former Solicitor General had not been sworn in by President Michael Sata, Mr Lungu said the new Attorney General could perform his functions before taking his oath of allegiance.
Mr Mweetwa in his point of order explained that according to the constitution, the position of the Attorney General fell in the category of positions of where an individual was expected to take oath of allegiance before taking up functions of their constitutional offices.
And Monze Central (UPND) MP also wondered why a document signed by Mr Mwenye who had not been sworn in was being tabled in the House.
“Mr Speaker Sir, I want to find out the legality of the document that is being laid on the table of the House signed by Mr Musa Mwenye when he has not been sworn in by the President.
According to the Constitution, the position of Attorney General falls in the category of positions where one is supposed to take oath of allegiance,” Mr Mweetwa wondered.
But in his ruling, Mr Lungu said: “The Attorney General can perform his functions as he awaits taking oath of allegiance.”
Mr Mwenye along with Abraham Mwansa, the new Solicitor General and Mumba Malila, the newly appointed Supreme Court Judge have not been sworn in by President Sata since their ratification about a month ago.
About a month ago, Parliament ratified the trio but President Sata has not found time to swear them in forcing the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to demand that the Head of State should allow the three constitutional office bearers take the oath of allegiance.
The foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed concern that Mr Mwenye, Mr Mwansa and Mr Malila have not been sworn in a month after being appointed and ratified by Parliament.
MMD leader Nevers Mumba has said that the people of Zambia mean well when they show concern about President Michael Sata’s wellbeing.
Dr Mumba also advised Zambians to desist from talking ill about President Sata even as they demand to be told the truth about his wellbeing.
Dr Mumba said that much as government has tried hard to put an end to the speculations over the President’s wellbeing, the people of Zambia still want to be addressed formally by the President.
Dr Mumba noted that speculation can at times be blown out of proportion, hence the need to clear the speculation surrounding the President’s wellbeing once and for all.
But Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda said that President Michael Sata’s health should not be a subject of debate.
Mr. Lubinda has told Qfm News in an interview that it is unnecessary for anyone to try and gain popularity by debating the health of the President.
He said that he saw no no logic in making President Sata’s health a topical issue.
Meanwhile, Political activist Dante Saunders has said that President Michael Sata still has an opportunity to put things right before the 2016 general elections.
Mr. Saunders cited some of the things he thinks can be rectified by the government as the poor performance of the economy, the high cost of living due to increased electricity and fuel prices and alleged intolerance in the political arena.
Mr. Saunders said that failure by the PF government to address these issues will see them go down in history as the worst political party to have ever ruled the country.
Mr. Saunders added that he was also of the view that President Sata should have also addressed the issue of his wellbeing much earlier in order to spare the nation the speculations and rumor mongering that has engulfed the country.
The National Food and Nutrition Commission has warned of rising cases of overweight and obesity among Zambian women.
Acting Commission Director Musonda Mofu revealed that a recent study undertaken by the Commission showed that about 10-14 percent of Zambian women are overweight and obese.
Mr Mofu said the situation is worrying because Zambia does not have capacity to manage consequences of obesity among its population.
“As a nation, we have been battling with under nutrition especially for children under the age of five. The emerging cases of obesity especially among the women folk is worrying because as a nation we don’t have capacity to manage the health and economic risks that come with obesity,” Mr Musonda said.
He added, “What is important to note is that these same women who are becoming over weight have children who are under nourished. So they are over feeding themselves but they are not providing adequate nutrition to their children.”
Mr Mofu blamed the rise in cases of overweight and obesity to poor eating habits among women.
“What we are seeing is a new trend where women are consuming more alcohol and fast foods. Most of this alcohol has some Sugar and that adds to the fatty acids in the body which contributes to obesity,” he said.
Mr Mofu has since appealed to Zambian women to adopt healthier lifestyles and eating more traditional meals that are low on fat.
