Mampi and Judy Yo released the video for their hit single “Basazibe”
BY KAPA187
First Lady Christine Kaseba describes child marriages as a crisis
First Lady, Christine Kaseba, has described the high number of child marriages in Zambia has a crisis.
Speaking in interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) from Lusaka, Dr Kaseba said child marriages must be fought with the same energy that saw the country reduce the HIV prevalence from 25 per cent to the current 16 percent.
She said HIV was considered a crisis when the prevalence rate stood at 25 per cent,the country therefore needs to do something about the 42 per cent of girls that are either married or impregnated off before they reach the age of 18 years.
The First Lady, however, expressed happiness that leaders at different levels are getting involved in the fight against early marriages.
Dr Kaseba pointed out that traditional leaders have become active in fighting the vice because of heightened awareness in the country.
She also commended the media in Zambia for their role in raising awareness as well as fighting early marriages.
An acting Chief Justice and acting Attorney General does not inspire confidence in the Judiciary
The revelations of high corruption levels and other criminal activities among some judges and lawyers is just a tip of an iceberg of what was happening in the system, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) spokesperson Antonio Mwanza has said.
Mr Mwanza said the entire judicial system in the country does not inspire confidence.He has said there could be no clean judicial system when it lacks inspiration from the top.
“How can you inspire confidence in the judiciary when you have people acting like the current office of the Chief Justice? How do you tackle corruption when you have offices such as the one for the Attorney General in the acting capacity?” asked Mr. Mwanza.
He said it was high time President Michael Sata addressed the problems he had created for himself by allowing offices such as of the Chief Justice to continue in the acting capacity.
“The whole judicial system under the PF does not inspire confidence because people like the Attorney General Musa Mwenye and Madam Lombe Chibesakunda have been holding those offices in an acting capacity,” Mr Mwanza said.
He said there was need for President Sata to swear in the Attorney General and find a substantive Chief Justice rather than having people holding key government positions in an acting capacity.
Mr. Mwanza said there was urged need to clean the entire judicial system, adding that the corruption revelations by acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda in the judiciary was not only worrying but also shocking.
“With regards to the corruption in the judiciary as announced by acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda, it is clear that the judiciary is corrupt. But the revelations are not enough, action should be taken against the corrupt magistrates and lawyers,” he said.
He said criminal lawyers and corrupt judges should be probed, prosecuted and sent to prison to safeguard Zambians from such people.
Mr. Mwanza challenged the Law Association of Zambia to act on the allegations leveled against its members.
“We have heard these stories from top ranking officials and it’s up to LAZ to act now, let LAZ confiscate or cancel the practising licences from criminal lawyers. Let the Chief Justice now report corrupt judges to the ACC in order to be prosecuted rather than just saying things in the manner they have done,” he said.
And Mr. Mwanza has appealed to President Sata to swear in Mr. Mwenye as Attorney General.
“We challenge President Sata to swear in Musa Mwenye. There is too much circus now in the country because of these issues of acting this, acting that. We have acting Chief Justice and now we have acting Attorney General. These are not the reforms the PF should be talking about,” said Mr. Mwanza.
[Daily Nation]
Koffi Olomide is a free man, his case is closed-Zambia Police
The Zambia Police Service says Congolese Rhumba King Koffi Olomide is free to perform in Zambia as his assault case has been closed.
Police Service Spokesperson Charity Munganga Chanda confirmed that police will not be pursuing the matter any longer after they decided to close the docket against the Rhumba giant.
Mrs Chanda said the case against Olomide was dropped after investigations revealed that the complaint was not collaborating with what the investigators found out.
Olomide was facing an arrest after Lusaka freelance Photojournalist Jean Mandela decided to resurrect a 2013 assault case against Olomide for allegedly assaulting him during a New Year’s Eve concert at Pamodzi Hotel.
Olomide is expected back in Lusaka for a series of shows this month end since his 2013 scandal in which he was forced to flee via Kasumbalesa to evade the police they were pursuing him over the assault matter.
But Mandela has maintained that justice should be allowed to prevail in the matter by arresting Olomide the moment he arrives in Lusaka.
He said the police should protect citizens against such abuse by conclusively pursuing the matter and bringing Olomide to book.
“Even if they say the case is closed, I will bring it back. He assaulted me and he has to face the law. In 2013, the police said they had enough evidence against Koffi, today they are saying my statement is not collaborating with their investigation, what is that?”
A visibly annoyed Mandela said he will not stop seeking justice in the matter.
“If you read the Post Newspapers and what the Police said after the incident, you cannot expect them to turn around today and protect Koffi. He has to pay for this. I will not stop and until Koffi is prosecuted for assaulting me,” Mandela vowed.
Meanwhile the editors forum has released the media statement below
July 22, 2014
Media release from the Southern African Editors Forum
The Southern African Editors Forum (SAEF) Zambian Chapter wishes to call on the Zambia Police to arrest Congolese Rumba Musician Koffi Olomide when he comes to Zambia for assaulting a Zambian photo-Journalist, Jean Mandela.
We have noted with great interest Koffi’s planned visit to Zambia and the police’s reluctance to have him arrested.
We are aware that the police spokesperson Ms Charity Munganga-Chanda has issued a statement that Koffi will not be arrested when he comes because of the absence of collaboration between the evidence and the police.
Whatever that means, we are not aware that the police have a responsibility to collaborate evidence because this is a responsibility of the court.
The police should not play hide-and-seek merely because Koffi is a popular figure because the Zambian law is not selective on who follows it. We therefore, wish to announce the outright rejection of the said statement by the police.
We will not allow our members to be harassed by anyone. The police have no right to apply selective justice but the law must be respected by all citizens.
We are sufficiently aware that an assault case merely requires the complainant to produce a medical report from a duly certified medical doctor which condition was satisfied by Mr Mandela when he reported the case.
So do not expect any more excuses from the police because their role is to ensure that citizens are protected from physical harassment.
If the police maintain their stance, then their safety will always by under threat from the powerful persons in society who will continue to harass media practitioners and other citizens knowing that police would protect them.
Kenny Makungu
Chairperson
SAEF Zambian Chapter
Kaunda: Botswana are beatable at home
Zambia Under-17 coach Chris Kaunda has demanded improvement from his team ahead of the away 2015 CAF Youth Championship qualifiers second round return leg against Botswana to be played in Gaborone on August 2.
Zambia on Sunday edged Botwana 1-0 in the first leg match of the second round played at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Midfielder Enock Mwepu scored a solitary goal to give the Junior Chipolopolo a slight advantage going into the return.
“I am not dissappointed with the result. The game is still on but they are beatable even at their home,” Kaunda said.
He defended the performance of his team at home.
“Some of them are playinng at that stage for the first time.”
Kaunda believes Zambia have the potential to score away in Botswana.
“They (Botswana) will open up in the return match and goals will come,” he said.
The overall winners between Zambia and Botswana will face either Uganda or Rwanda in the final round of the CAF Under-17 Cup to be hosted by Niger.
K 128 million was paid to MUVI TV to air Chanda Chimba’s Stand up for Zambia, witness tells court
A witness told the Lusaka Magistrate Court that K128m was paid by Chanda Chimba III for airing of Stand Up for Zambia programmes on Muvi television Station.
MUVI TV, Security Manager, Allan Mulenga, 50,a Livingstone resident said the 16 episodes of stand up for Zambia programmes were aired on the private TV station after they were paid for by the Chanda Chimba III.
He testified that he was on August 15, 2012 he was visited by officers from task force on corruption who wanted to find out how many programmes for stand up Zambia were aired on MUVI TV and how much was paid for airing of the programmes.
Mr. Mulenga said 16 episodes were paid for by Chanda Chimba III and that K8m was paid per programme.
When asked what was the mode of payments that was made for the programmes, the witness said that the payments were paid in cash.
This was in a case in which General Ronnie Shikapwasha a politician, is jointly charged with his former Information Permanent Secretary Dr. Sam Phiri and Freelance Journalist Chanda Chimba III are charged with abuse of authority of office contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Penal Code
Chapter 87 of the Laws the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on dates unknown but between October 1 and November 31, 2010 Lt Gen Shikapwasha and Dr Phiri, jointly and whilst acting together, arbitrarily and in disregard of defamation laws and ZNBC editorial policy directed ZNBC management to broadcast Chanda Chimba’s documentary namely, Stand Up for Zambia, an act prejudicial to the rights and interests of ZNBC, a public body.
Principle Magistrate Obbister Musukwa has since adjourned the matter to tomorrow, July 22, 2014 for continuation of trial.
Labour movement unhappy with continued wage freeze
The Labour movement has lambasted parliamentarians demanding for salary increment.
The movement has also charged that the ongoing wage freeze is tantamount to stagnating the workers’ worthiness.
Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FFTU) acting president Msiska Chinagti described the action by some parliamentarians for salary increment as selfish, disgusting and alarming.
Mr. Chingati says that the demand by some parliamentarians to press for salary increment is unwarranted, selfish, disgusting and alarming.
He said it is improper for legislatures to start requesting for salary increments after endorsing the wage freeze on public service workers.
ZANIS reports that the Labour leader said this in a statement released in Lusaka, yesterday.
Mr Chingati noted that former public service workers are still waiting to be paid their pensions and some of them have since died without receiving their dues.
He said FFTU was not impressed by the current debate in parliament describing it as an indication that parliamentarians do not research on issues to be debated on.
Mr. Chingati said there is no justification for member of parliaments to request for a salary increment .
He said the country needs committed and selfless leaders and not those wanting to amass wealth at the expense of the suffering majority.
Mr. Chingati explained that wage freeze is applicable in the event where institution faces redundancies or bankruptcy.
He further stated it was surprising to note that government went ahead and endorsed it the wage freeze without consultation.
Mr Chingati said negotiations between the public service workers and government should go on without interference.
Saying MPs are not adequately remunerated is being less honest-Milupi
Opposition President for Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) Charles Milupi says the demand by Members of Parliament for a further salary hike is unfortunate and unrealistic.
Mr Milupi say it is saddening for members of parliament to demand for salary increment at the time there is a wage and employment freeze in the Public service.
He said with high poverty and unemployment levels members of parliament should take a lead in demonstrating fairness in the distribution of the national cake.
Mr Milupi added that to say that members of parliament are not adequately remunerated is to be less than honest as they are paid salaries that include constituency, transport, sitting allowances to attend parliament and in committees.
He further said members of parliament also get hefty gratuity allowances including a mid-term payment.
[pullquote]“MPs want more money, we deserve more money. We demand our salaries are increased so that our gratuity goes up. The members of the public need to know that we are poorly paid and we can’t live as impoverished leaders,” Ms Namugala said.[/pullquote]
Mr Milupi has since urged members of parliament not to view the privilege of representing their constituencies as a means of generating wealth for oneself.
Opposition MPs led by Cathrine Namugala recently proposed in the house for a salary increment a move that has sparked negative reaction from various sections of society.
“MPs want more money, we deserve more money. We demand our salaries are increased so that our gratuity goes up. The members of the public need to know that we are poorly paid and we can’t live as impoverished leaders,” Ms Namugala said.
“Why should we work five years and after that become impoverished? And we demand that a pension is introduced. Some of our predecessors are impoverished and we don’t want to end up like that. What we want is that the welfare of MPs should be looked at,” Ms Namugala said.
UPND Monze Central MP Jack Mwiimbu lamented that in his 12-years as a parliamentarian, the House had on different occasions discussed the welfare of MPs but without tangible achievement.
Mr Mwiimbu accused Cabinet of failing to tackle issues regarding the welfare of MPs.
Mr Mwiimbu said Parliament’s committee system was the weakest in the region detailing that its vital role as an oversight institution on the operations of Government ministries was being overlooked.
He recommended that sitting allowance for MPs should not be received but be part of the gratuity package.
“The sitting allowance should be part of our gratuity that way the salary will go up. MPs are wallowing in poverty because of poor emoluments,” he said.
Court sends housewife to jail for beating up husband’s girfriend
A 35 year old house wife in Luanshya has been sentenced to six months simple imprisonment by the Luanshya magistrate court for beating up and indecent exposure of her husbands’ girl friend.
Appearing before Luanshya magistrate Edward Banda was Given Shamfuti of house number 2 second class residential area who was jointly charged with a 17 year old male juvenile.
Particulars of the offence were that on 1st February 2014, in Luanshya district of the Copperbelt, jointly and whilst acting together, the duo did assault Olipa Mumbi thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm and stripping her naked.
Facts before court were that on 1st February 2014 Mumbi was at Manda tavern drinking beer, when Shamfuti came and started accusing Mumbi of flirting with her husband and in the process dragged Mumbi, hitting her with fists, causing her to sustain bruises on the back, swollen left eye and general body pains.
Mumbi stated that she reported the matter to Luanshya central police were a medical report was issued and she was treated at Thomson hospital, which lead to the apprehension of the accused.
Meanwhile, Shamfuti who pleaded guilty in matter, denied having found Mumbi at a tavern but that she caught her naked with her husband in their matrimonial home.
In mitigation Shamfuti pleaded for leniency from the court.
In passing judgment Magistrate Banda said he was alarmed by the trait of married women taking the law into their hands and initiating mob justice.
Banda however warned Mumbi to stay away from married men because next time she would be beaten to death or contract the deadly sexually transmitted disease.
But the Juvenile pleaded not guilty and his case was adjourned to 28 July for commencement of trial.
We are not bitter with President Sata-Evelyn Mwanawasa
The family of the late president Levy Mwanwasa’s niece Tiberth Musambachime have thanked President Sata for visiting their relative at hospital.
Family representative Evelyn Mwanawasa said President Sata, who was in South Africa on Saturday when Ms Musambachime was evacuated to Milpark Hospital, waited and visited the patient.
“We are very grateful to the Head of State for the gesture in evacuating and visiting the patient at the hospital. He waited for her until she arrived to ensure he checked on her condition.
“People were saying the Mwanawasa family was bitter with President Sata but it is people saying that and not us,” Ms Mwanawasa said.
She described the condition of Ms Musambachime following her evacuation to South Africa as having slightly improved.
Meanwhile, President Sata’s son, Kazimu, who has been admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, last evening went into theatre for fracture procedures.
Zambia’s Ambassador to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde said in an interview yesterday that Kazimu was taken to theatre last evening.
Mr Chikonde said doctors had said that he was out of danger.
He also confirmed that former Republican president Rupiah Banda had been to visit Kazimu and another accident victim Tiberth Musambachime earlier in the day.
“He has just gone into theatre this evening. The doctors have also said that he is out of danger,” Mr Chikonde said.
Kazimu was involved in a road accident on the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriage way and he and Ms Musambachime were evacuated to Milpark Hospital.
Former President Rupiah Banda visits President Sata’s admitted son in South Africa
Zambia’s Fourth President Rupiah Banda today visited President Michael Chilufya Sata’s son, Kazimu, who is admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The former head of State was relieved to find that Kazimu was making steady progress. Mr Banda wished him, and the other two accident victims still in hospital, God’s blessings.
Mr Banda arrived at the hospital around mid-day and was received by Kazimu’s mother and his wife, Tiwonge, who were by the bedside.
The former president, who was accompanied to the hospital by his administrative assistant Mikatazo Wakumelo, also visited former Indeco director Brian Moyo.
On Saturday, President Sata visited his son Kazimu who is admitted at Milpark hospital.
Kazimu Sata was on Tuesday involved in a road traffic accident on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway.
The accident happened around 17:30 hours near Kitwe’s Moba Hotel when the vehicle in which he was travelling overturned.
Kazimu was evacuated to Johannesburg, South Africa, for specialist treatment for injuries suffered in the road traffic accident
PF members in Kasama call for re-trial of Father Bwalya
THE PF in Northern Province says the State must appeal the acquittal of outspoken Alliance for better Zambia ( ABZ ) leader Fr. Frank Bwalya.
PF provincial secretary Evarist Chellah says it the ruling party in the area strongly felt that the court did not take into account all the evidence presented by the complainants.
Mr. Chellah said the party in the province was unhappy with the court’s decision on the matter.
Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Frank Bwalya was recently acquitted Father Bwalya for defaming President Michael Sata by referring to him as ‘Cumbu-Munshololwa ( a potato ) ’’.
Bwalya said this in January this year during a live radio broadcast on Kasama’s Radio Mano.
Delivering judgment, Kasama Principal Resident Magistrate Vincent Siloka stated that he found nothing defamatory in the word ‘cumbu munshololwa’ as it merely referred to a person who does not listen to advice.
Magistrate Siloka said he understands that ‘cumbu munshololwa’ is just one of the many Zambian sayings and idioms used by Bembas.
He noted that convicting Bwalya would amount to inhibiting freedom of expression and censured the accusers of having fabricated the word Umuwelele in a bid to fix the Fr. Bwalya.
Magistrate Siloka emphasized that freedom of expression should be respected in a democratic state like Zambia.
Commenting on his acquittal, Bwalya said the victory was a triumph for democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
Minister wants Health professionals trained by Government bonded to avoid brain drian
Government is concerned with the rate at which the public health sector is losing professionals to the private sector after spending huge sums of money training them.
Health Deputy Minister, Chitalu Chilufya says government cannot continue spending money on training staff only to loss them to the private sector.
Dr Chilufya has directed all medical superintends to ensure all staff trained at government expense are bonded.
He said this when he addressed public health workers at Kasama General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata says her Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that some of the 6 hundred and 50 health posts being constructed are built near tourist sites.
Ms Kapata has told ZNBC News in an interview that it is gratifying that Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya has directed health authorities in IKELENGE, North Western Province, to construct one health post at the source of the Zambezi River.
She says tourists and workers who man tourist sites encounter difficulties in accessing health facilities.
Aspiring Kabwata MP vows to unseat Lubinda
Aspiring Kabwata Member of Parliament Clement Tembo says he will continue day-dreaming until incumbent Kabwata MP Given Lubinda is unseated.
Reacting to Mr. Lubinda’s statement that he is dreaming if he thinks he will become the next area MP, Mr. Tembo has told Qfm news in an interview that he is grateful that Mr. Lubinda has taken note of his dream which he says will become reality.
And Mr. Tembo has denied assertions that he has begun campaigns in earnest ahead of 2016 general elections.
He says by having solid waste in the constituency removed he is merely introducing himself to the people as well as contributing to improving hygiene standards in the constituency.
Mr. Tembo has also denied being sponsored by people who want to see Mr. Lubinda lose the Parliamentary seat in the next general elections.
He says all the money he has been using to have garbage collected in Kabwata constituency is from his own sources of income.
Mr. Tembo adds that he is currently assessing which political party he will join which reflects his vision.
Release of 2,000 bags of relief maize to Zambezi West constituency is a campaign strategy by PF-FODEP
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed concern at government’s activities in constituencies with pending by-elections.
FODEP Executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi in a statement to QFM News says such activities are likely to be misconstrued to be apparent electoral campaign activities.
Mr. Chipenzi says the release of 2,000 x 50kg bags of relief maize to Zambezi West constituency is an apparent act of electoral campaign on the part of government on behalf of the ruling party.
He says this is so because it is happening barely a week after the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the holding of by-elections in five constituencies Zambezi West inclusive.
Mr Chipenzi says FODEP is in receipt of disturbing reports from its monitors on the ground in Zambezi District in North-Western Province that government has released relief maize for distribution in an area where a by-election is pending.
He states that the 2,000x50kg bags of relief maize to be distributed to Zambezi West constituency ahead of the parliamentary by-election on 11th September, 2014, are purportedly from the Zambezi Food Reserve Agency (FRA) depot.
He adds that reports reaching FODEP are that the relief maize would be distributed through the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries as a lead NGO located within Zambezi District.
Mr. Chipenzi says FODEP advises all stakeholders to be wary of electoral malpractices and corruption which may come in various ways to avoid electoral petitions especially in periods when the Electoral Code of Conduct is not applicable.
He has further advised government that though the distribution of relief food to concerned communities is important and a government duty, it should be mindful of the circumstances prevailing at the time of embarking on such exercises to avoid speculations from stakeholders.