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Food Reserve Agency (FRA) Executive Director Chola Kafwabulula says the agency has begun the purchase of maize for 2014-2015 Crop Marketing Season in 10 Districts only where the crop moisture content has reached 12.5 percent.
Mr. Kafwabulula has named the 10 districts as Chambishi, Chibombo, Choma, Kasama, Kazungula, Kitwe, Gwembe, Lukulu, Mungwi and Namwala.
He says the agency has been going round the country to ascertain the moisture content and has found that the current national average of moisture content in maize is about 13.6 percent.
Mr. Kafwabulula however says storage for the purchased maize still remain a challenge but that the agency is upgrading 27 hard standing slabs into closed shades.
He says the shades are expected to be ready within the month of August to increase the agency’s current storage capacity to 117, 000 tonnes.
And Mr. Kafwabulula has disclosed that the agency has been allowed to export up to 100, 000 metric tonnes of maize and that so far 32 applications have been received from purchasers with whom contracts are currently signed.
He says from the 100, 000 metric tonnes of maize earmarked for export, the agency is expected to raise US$27.5 million.
SACCORD has observed that the country has the potential of becoming the number one peaceful nation in the continent if stakeholders worked towards ensuring that violent constituencies are replaced by peaceful ones.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said there is need to eliminate all forms of violent constituencies as peace does not happen in a vacuum but by ensuring that the country continues to build on a culture of peace by constantly replacing violent constituencies with peace constituencies.
Mr. Cheembe who was commenting on Zambia for having come out third in Africa in the latest global peace index said there is need to work towards destroying all structures of violence which are slowly taking root in the country’s society such as ensuring that gainful employment for the youths who are usually used as tools of violence by politicians.
“This shows that our country has a lot of potential to be the number 1 country on the continent in terms of being peaceful by virtue of the fact that we have enjoyed peace from the time we gained independence.
“However, peace does not just happen in a vacuum it takes a lot of work as those countries that have scored higher than Zambia have been able to demonstrate.
We need to ensure that we continue building a culture of peace by constantly replacing violent constituencies with peace constituencies.
This can take place when we start working hard at dismantling the structural violence that has been put in place by many factors such as lack of gainful employment which has left many of our people in a vulnerable situation and thereby being prone to exploitation as well as manipulation by political elites who may want to gain political mileage by engaging such young people into violence,” Mr. Cheembe said.
He noted that with the country’s past history of peace the nation can move from ranked 44th in the world to being the 20s bracket and boost its chances of attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)
“Zambia being ranked 44 in world ranking on peace is also commendable although we believe that with our history of peace we can improve on such a ranking by ensuring that we climb in the top 20s and thereby improve the country’s chances of attracting quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” noted the SACCORD boss.
He explained that if the country is to improve its ranking there is need to address political violence that has become associated with the nations politics.
“In our effort to improve Zambia’s overall ranking, the country will have to address the culture of violence that has slowly become associated with our politics which in itself serves as an indicator on the extent to which peace prevails. This has to go hand in hand with many other factors such as the extent to which we improve the enjoyment of basic human rights such as freedoms of association, expression and assembly,” explained Mr. Cheembe.
Mr. Cheembe has since congratulated the country on its ranking as the continent’s third most peaceful country.
“SACCORD would like to congratulate Zambia for the scores attained in the global peace index for 2014. We believe that these rankings should serve as a basis for the country to aim higher so that we improve the general status of peace in our country which is good for affording people to enjoy the fruits of their industry and also make the country an attractive destination for FDI owing to its peace,” he said.
Vice President Guy Scott has issued an emotional apology to the Tonga speaking people of Southern Province for his recent tribal remarks in a BBC interview.
This was during the 30 minutes Vice President’s Question Time in Parliament Friday morning.
Dr Scott issued the apology which surprised many Members of Parliament present after Cheembe MMD MP Mwansa Mbulakulima asked him to clarify his recent statement against the Tonga speaking people.
Mr Mbulakulima asked, “Your Honor the Vice President, your office is a bridge between Government and the Zambian people, meaning even your language should be civil and unifying. When you were in England, your comment on South Africa raised a lot of dust in this country. Secondly, your comment on the Tonga people of Southern Province has annoyed the people of Southern Province. The other day your comment on Mulenga Sata has also raised a lot of noise, do you have a problem in the selection of words, or it is deliberate or it is your disease?”
In his response, Dr Scott said he was sorry for the words he uttered directed at the Tonga speaking people of Southern Province.
“I can say without any hesitation to the people of Southern Province to the Tonga people in particular who have taken this personally, sorry and I think it is the right word. You know I’m quite a high profile person and am quite a straight forward when I talk. So if I used a wrong word and I’ve now found a new one I will be using that,” Dr Scott said amid cheers and applauds.
At this stage, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini commended Dr Scott for putting the matter to rest.
Meanwhile, Dr Scott has revealed that the forensic audit of the mining industry will be sponsored by the Norwegian Government.
He said preliminary results of the audit which will start next week will be available within 60 days.
“I actually spoke to the ZRA Commissioner General to get latest on the implementation of the forensic audit as I was coming here (Parliament). The Norwegian are definitely supporting us, they are just sorting out whether we need three or four specialists to supplement the four specialists from the ZRA who will be undertaking the audit,” Dr Scott said.
He added, “Any information coming out like the judgement in the U & M and KCM London Judgement will be taken into account will be looked at. A forensic audit is basically like a criminal investigation, you look at all the finger prints, all the numbers. You look at all that seems to be a promising trail and you try to identify what the evidence of the suspicion was in the first place, whether it was tax evasion or whatever. I don’t think there is any mystery what a forensic audit is. The mystery is, who is paying, the answer is the Norwegians. We launch the audit next week and preliminary results within 60 days of that.
Starn da Industry is an Rnb/Hip hop artist, Music Producer and Entrepreneur . Over the years he has been perfecting his craft and getting better and better . He has released hit songs such as “Photo shoot fresh” ,”Zimandola” ,”NDIMUVELEVELE” , “GBM, among others . He is currently working on 2 albums which he plans on releasing on the same day .
KAPA187: What made you decide to release 2 albums at the same time ? STARN: I decided to release two albums, because Zambia is turning 50yrs,so this is my gift to mother Zambia,where The traditional Rap album “Pupwe Chulu” ,speaks of where we are coming from as a nation musically, while the Rnb album “Zimandola” Speaks of where we are and where we are going musically as an industry.
KAPA187: Tell us about the 2 albums “Pupwe Chulu” and “Zimandola” STARN: Pupwe Chulu has more of a mature appeal and deep lyrical content appealing to an audience that appreciates quality music. For that individual that appreciates deep lyrical content, word play, and amazing Bemba Poetry, this album is for You. Every sound that’s in every Song was meant to be there. I didn’t want to feature so many artists on this project because I wanted to speak my mind out.
Zimandola album has an urban appeal to it, cementing the “Now” culture, which is really not so Zambian but a mixture of many other cultures. Music has evolved over the past 50yrs,so this album has some of the amazing sounds that are more of the “Now”. Hip hop appeal to all those who appreciate Big beats,Vocal ability,and falsetto ,all that I show it on this album.
KAPA187: Will the albums have a similar theme or will they be completely independent from each other ? STARN: The Albums will completely be separate from each other. Each album has its own story to it.
KAPA187: Who are some of the artists you have worked with , is there anyone you would wish to collaborate with but haven’t had the chance yet ? STARN: On my Traditional. I featured the likes of Maureen Lilanda, Lady Rossay, Mumba Yachie and just a few . Whilst I have ,Bobby East, Zone fam,Chef 187 and a few more amazing Lyricists. I wanted to work with young Blood , artists that have the same fire as I do, on my Zimandola album.
KAPA187: How will the album be distributed ? STARN: My distribution is in two phases , Online and hard copy, online I have made arrangements to have my music on world wide distribution outlets like ,itunes,Spotify,cdbaby and more. I’m doing hard Copies for my Zambian people really, and both albums (CD’s) are going to be in every decent Outlet I see fit to support my BRAND.
KAPA187:In the recent past more and more Zambian music is being appreciated outside our borders .What needs to be done by you and other artists to move our music industry to the level of Nigeria or south Africa. STARN: i Think Zambian music generally lacks promotion. We are by far better than most African countries but they have big companies behind them promoting their music and we don’t. What we need is not UNITY as most artists claim, to change this industry. Unity among artists is vital but can only do very little, what we need is a “VOICE. ” By voice I mean having internationally recognised distributors, promoters and stake holders that will push our careers for us In this business. My brothers “Zone fam” for example are now recognised in Africa, ask me why?? Because they have the right VOICE behind their music. Look at our videos, they are better than most videos on MTV Base and Channel O, but we don’t have the right voice to convince these people to play our stuff. So as artists we should therefore, target distributors like Sony and the like ,for us to compete fairly, otherwise we will for a long time go round circles.
KAPA187: Many of your fans first knew you as a gospel singer , what made you switch to a more “secular” type of music ? STARN: Im a Good news deliverer,I don’t believe Music should be judged on religious merit, I believe Good music is good music. My music has always had an inspirational touch to it,that’s how I reach out. My fans are my fans because of Good music and I always give them that.
KAPA187: Any last words for your fans STARN: I call people that Love or appreciate my music “Stars”. To all of you ,Thank You for celebrating my artistry. Watch out for the first ever in Zambia #Double Album Release , #Pupwe Chulu and #Zimandola Albums .
My name is Starn Daindustry Ladies and gentlemen-Am out !!! #bless
” My Album’s are being released in September. This is the first time in Zambian Music History an Artist is releasing two Albums at once.”
Former Finance Minister Katele Kalumba has cautioned government against create uncertainty in the economy in manner it is handling information pertaining to President Michael Sata’s working visit to Israel.
Dr. Kalumba who served as Foreign Affairs Minister in Levy Mwanawasa administration said there are economic and vital security interests that can be provoked by conflicting statements coming from government officials about the President’s visit to Israel.
He said this is especially that the Zambian people have lost a sitting President before and are therefore anxious to know facts about President Sata’s health in view of widespread speculations surrounding his working visit to Israel.
Dr. Kalumba told QFM News in an interview that the health of the Head of State is of national and strategic interest to Zambians, the country’s cooperating partners and enemies of the State.
He said that this therefore calls for responsible and compassionate public utterances and intelligent management of information about the health of the President.
Dr. Kalumba said government should be as factual as possible by giving out convincing information to the people in order to sustain the confidence that there is constitutional continuity in the governance of the country.
Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata has appealed for support and strengthened ties in science and technology programs between South Korea and Zambia.
The Mayor was speaking when he featured on an exclusive interview at YTN Science television in Seoul, South Korea.
This is according to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Lusaka City Council Acting Public Relations Manager Habeenzu Mulunda.
Councillor Sata said South Korea has shown over the decades that it was one of the up coming powerhouses in information technology, hence Zambia would benefit a great deal if strong relationships were to be promoted especially in science and technology.
Councillor Sata said Zambia was already enjoying good bilateral and economic relations with South Korea and hoped that the two countries would widen areas of cooperation in trade, natural resource development, agriculture as well as science and technology.
“South Korea has developed quite fast over the past decade this is all because of the serious investment the country has made in science and technology. As a country, Zambia would benefit a great deal if we can partner with countries like South Korea in exchange of science content especially in schools, colleges and universities,” he said.
Councillor Sata further indicated that Lusaka City Council had great passion for the grass root and that the council was in the process of revamping the community halls in all the constituencies for the purpose of supporting and implementing educational as well as developmental programs.
“With the support of YTN Science television we would like to introduce and extend this program to community centers because as you may be aware most of our people are not exposed to science and technology, so we would want this program to be rolled out to the townships and peri-urban areas. And in this regard we will bank on continued support and cooperation from the Korean government through the YTN Science television and to expedite this relationship I offer myself as an ambassador for YTN in Zambia,” he said.
Councillor Sata pledged to rekindle the already established relationship between YTN Science television with the Zambian media oraganisations for the purpose of promoting science and technology through television programs.
“I am aware that YTN Science television screw visited Zambia in 2012 and established the relationship with our national broadcaster Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), all we need is to rekindle the relations. We also need to involve other television stations such as Muvi TV, TBN, Prime TV and Mobi in airing these science programs so that we can capture a wide audience,” he said.
And YTN Science President Dr. Heelim Ryu assured the Mayor that the station would be readily available to provide science content to the Zambian community as the country was striving to develop young scientists.
Dr. Ryu said YTN Science television had a lot of programs which have already been translated from Korean into English and they were available for sharing.
Dr. Ryu reiterated the need to continue promoting the relationship between the Zambian media and YTN Science in order to have a consistent following of programs.
“Our television station is ready to help in which ever way you want, all we need to know is what content does your country want so that we can prepare something which of help and interest to your nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, earlier the mayor toured the Land and Housing (LH) Corporation Limited, the company which has been entrusted by the Korean government to build the New Wiyre City District.
LH Corporation is engaged in urban land use planning and development, consultancy as well as project management and feasibility studies for the government.
Speaking during the tour of the corporation LH Director Mr. SooHong Park said the corporation has approved a development plan up to 2017 and has embarked on constructing 43, 580 households.
“The corporation has been undertaking government projects since 1960 and it has done a lot of consultancy in housing development as well as financing and buidling most of the houses within Korea,” he said.
Mr. Park said LH Corporation had a lot of experience in housing projects and that it has undertaken such projects in other countries like Tanzania, Indonesia, China and Vietinum.
Mr. Park further informed the Mayor that if there was any need of help in housing LH Corporation was readily available to offer such advise.
And Councilor Sata noted that although Zambia and South Korea shared similar historical background it was gratifying to see how Korea has developed in all the sectors in a few years.
Councilor Sata said Lusaka City Council would take advantage of the newly opened embassy in South Korea to promote exchange programs so that such developmental plans can be replicated not only in Lusaka but Zambia at large.
THE United Nations (UN) family has pledged to support Zambia develop and build innovative and effective industrial policy institutions that will enhance industrialisation and structural transformation.
UN Zambia resident coordinator Simon Cammelbeeck said the UN family would support the Government to develop, build innovative, effective and flexible industrial policy institutions, processes and mechanisms.
Mr Cammelbeeck said supporting Zambia build its policy institutions would help promote industrialisation and structural transformation, which would be a major vehicle to create decent jobs, reduce poverty and narrow inequalities.
Mr Cammelbeeck said in Lusaka at launch of the Economic Report on Africa 2014 that the UN in Zambia had been engaging with the Government and many other stakeholders to facilitate dialogue and support of industrial policies and programmes.
He said for example, the International Labour Organization and Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) are collaborating with the ministry of Agriculture to support business opportunities for youth along the two value chain, namely fisheries and soya beans.
Mr Cammelbeeck said at least 5,000 jobs for the youths are expected to be created through this programme.
He said that there was need for the sub region to translate the impressive economic growth into more and better jobs, poverty reduction and reduced inequalities for the population.
“The current growing inequalities are just not sustainable and pose a growing risk of social unrest,” he said.
Mr Cammelbeeck said the time for Africa’s industrialization was now saying that an industrialised Africa would address the challenges of job creation, poverty reduction and growing inequality.
“It is also good for the world, as it will speed up global economic recovery and enhance inclusive development,” he said.
Commerce Trade, and Industry Minister Bob Sichinga gives out cash to AMICO employee Brian Ndalama as Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya looks on
ZAMBIA and other African countries have been given up to October 20, 2014 to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) or fall into the Everything-but-Arms category.
Zambia and some other African countries are, however, finding it difficult to sign the EPAs because they are seeking to first industrialise their economies.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Robert Sichinga said in Lusaka that the European Union (EU) had given Zambia and the East and Southern Africa (ESA) countries an ultimatum to sign the EPAs or only be eligible to trade on the basis of Everything-but-Arms initiative.
Everything-but-Arms is an initiative of the EU under which all imports to the EU from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are duty-free with exception of armaments.
While the EPAs offers Africa countries 100 per cent access in the European market the initiative offers only 75 per cent access in the Africa market which includes free quota and tariff.
Although the Everything but Arms programme provides for duty free imports from LDCs the Rules of Origin, especially pertaining to apparel, severely inhibit imports because some phases of production occur outside the LDCs.
The negotiation of the EPAs started in 2000 to, among others, liberalise trade between European Union countries and the Economic Community of West Africa States.
“We have been given a deadline of October 20, 2014 of which to sign the EPA with them saying if you don’t sign you will simply be eligible to trade with us in Europe on the basis of Everything but Arms.
“And therefore making it difficult for African countries that are seeking to industrialise because whatever you sign with EU you must also remember that there is AGOA agreement in place with the United States and other agreements within the region,” he said before adding that:
“If we are going to industrialise there is no way we are going to be sending raw materials to other countries otherwise they will be no industrialisation.”
As African Commerce ministers, he said they would not sign the agreement until they recognise the need for Africa to build their capacities to be able to industrialise.
“We cannot have fair trade if we continue to have imbalances in our capacity to be able to trade with others. The question is what is Zambia providing to the rest of Africa and the world!” Mr Sichinga wondered.
Copperbelt minister Davis Mwila hands over a certificate to one of the midwives at the graduation ceremony in Kitwe. Standing on his left is provincial medical officer Chandwa Ng’amba, district commissioner Elias Kamanga and Kitwe mayor Chileshe Bweupe
THE delayed completion of the Freedom Park Shopping Mall in Kitwe has angered District Commissioner Elias Kamanga.
Mr Kamanga who has since asked the Kitwe City Council (KCC) to explore options available in resolving the stalled construction of the mall said facility had taken unnecessarily long to complete.
He said during the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) meeting held at Kitwe City Council chambers on Wednesday that there was need for the council to constitute a technical committee from the legal department to look into the matter of the Freedom Park Shopping Mall.
Mr Kamanga said there was a suggestion to repossess the mall project from the developers but that to his surprise, KCC had not taken any action.
“I now propose we select a team from the council legal department to engage the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to chart the way forward. “We cannot forever be talking of the Kitwe Freedom Park Shopping Mall without the project completing,” Mr Kamanga said.
He said it was a pity that the mall project had dragged for a long time without the council legal director coming in to help resolve the issue.
Mr Kamanga said there was need to take legal options available to the council to ensure that the mall was repossessed and given to another developer since the current one seemed to have failed.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Bob Sichinga
COMMERCE Trade and Industry Minister Robert Sichinga has challenged the board of directors and judges of the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) to ‘pull up their socks’ if the annual event has to remain relevant in boosting the country’s economy.
Mr Sichinga said at the ZITF judge’s luncheon yesterday, that he was not impressed with certain aspects of this year’s trade fair that did not encourage value addition.
He said the ZITF should encourage value addition to the country’s resources by promoting manufacturing.
Mr Sichinga said after touring the stands, he had observed that many exhibitors did not show how they were adding value to the economy by building on the country’s resources.
He said both the directors and judges had a duty to encourage exhibitors to work on value addition which resulted in job creation.
“I hope the judges are not judging based on the theory they have been presented but I hope you are judging on what the companies are doing to bring value addition.
“Don’t talk about what you see but talk about what we should see happening in this country to improve the economy,” Mr Sichinga said.
He said it was the desire of the Government to see a transformed industrial sector and conferences did not do that but action by the captains of industry like the directors and judges of the trade fair.
Investment opportunities in Zambia, Mr Sichinga said, were limitless and Government with the help of institutions like ZITF should find ways of gaining from those opportunities.
Earlier during the tour of the exhibitors’ stands, Mr Sichinga said he was concerned with the high number of imported products being exhibited at the fair as compared to the locally produced goods.
He said some products however, were impressive especially those locally made by youths.
Mr Sichinga urged the ZITF board to work on improving the fair infrastructure and tar the roads.
ZITF chairperson Emmanuel Hachipuka said his board had worked on a proposal to uplift the infrastructure at the fair.
“We cannot continue to sustain the infrastructure here which is too old but we are working on something and soon after the Ministry of Commerce and Cabinet approves, I shall tell you what it is but it is worth millions of Dollars,” Mr Hachipuka said.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba listens to Regional Teaching Course in Neurology director Prof Erich Schmutzhard shortly before she officially opened the sixth Regional Teaching Course in Neurology at UTH on June 19,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
UNITED States vice president Joe Biden’s wife, Jill has praised First Lady, Dr Christine Kaseba for being instrumental in promoting women entrepreneurs in Zambia.
Dr Biden said it was good that Dr Kaseba was championing the cause because entrepreneurship was important for job creation and spurring development for the benefit of all Zambians.
“Thanks to Zambia’s first lady, Dr Christine Kaseba for being instrumental in promoting entrepreneurship among women,” she said.
Dr Biden said when she addressed the entrepreneurs at Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday afternoon that she was inspired to see that the majority of farmers in Zambia were women.
Dr Biden who was in the country for a two-day official visit to promote girls’ education and women’s participation in Government, the economy and civil society said Zambian women were doing a good job in entrepreneurship.
She was accompanied to Zambia by Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Rajiv Shah, US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women Issues, Catherine Russell and other officials.
She said entrepreneurship was a cornerstone to economic development and should be championed by many.
She said it was encouraging that woman entrepreneurs were nurturing each other in their business and committed the U.S. government’s continued support to such projects.
Ms Russell encouraged the women entrepreneurs to continue with their work adding that although there were encountering challenges, there were ways of overcoming them.
Ruth Simwanza, from Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO), a Zambian company supported by USAID investment through its Feed the Future Programme said the organization has over 79, 000 women taking an active role in production of key crops such as ground nuts.
Meanwhile, Vice- President Guy Scott’s wife, Charlotte has urged women in the country to access cancer screening services and take advantage of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) One Stop Centre at Ng’ombe Health centre.
The One Stop Centre which the US and United Kingdom Governments set up at a cost of US$10 million provides prompt and comprehensive services to survivors of GBV.
Dr Scott said when she and her counterpart Dr Biden visited the Ng’ombe health clinic yesterday that women should seek early cancer screening to prevent the increase of cervical cancer cases.
During the tour of the centre, Dr Biden and Dr Scott visited pregnant women who were receiving anti natal care talks and patients before they joined survivors of GBV at the centre.
Ng’ombe GBV One Stop Centre coordinator, Derrick Chila told Dr Biden and Dr Scott and their delegations that the centre was a one “shop” offering all services such as counseling and shelter referrals to survivors of GBV.
Dr Biden and her delegation left at 15:47 hours for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for their second leg of a three-nation tour of Africa.
Opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Party National Secretary Muhabi Lungu has said that his party is more likely to re-adopt their Members of Parliament whose seats were nullified.
Speaking when he welcomed the supreme Court’s decree allowing opposition Members of Parliament(MP) whose seats were nullified to re-contest, Mr Lungu said that former Solwezi Member of Parliament Lucky Mulusa and former Petauke MP Dora Siliya are still Members of the MMD despite having been stripped off their party’s NEC position recently.
He said the party will no doubt re-adopt the two candidates because they are full paid up members of the former ruling party.
Mr Lungu further said that the court ruling has been made in accordance to the constitution of Zambia as well as the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Mr Lungu said that the rule of law has prevailed over the Petauke , Solwezi, Vubwi, Zambezi and Solwezi parliamentary seats which the ruling party had applied for an injunction to bar them from re contesting their seats.
He said the opposition has been vindicated adding that even the Electoral Commission(ECZ) of Zambia was ready to conduct the said parliament seats if the ruling party did not intervene using the courts of law.
Meanwhile, former Zambezi Member of Parliament Charles Kakoma said the Supreme court interpreted the law accordingly.
Mr Kakoma , who is opposition United Party for National Development(UPND) Spokesperson said his party will humiliate their opponents during Zambezi West parliamentary by elections.
He said this is a lesson to those people who do not believe in democracy especially this time when politicians are playing modern politics as opposed to colonial politics.
He stated that UPND will do everything to defend their seat by all means to teach others a nice lesson which they will never forget.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that opposition MPs whose elections were nullified can re-contest their seats.
This is in a case where the ruling Patriotic Front had applied to bar some opposition MP whose elections were nullified on account of alleged electoral malpractices.
Delivering the landmark verdict yesterday morning, Judge Gregory Phiri and Judge Mwanamwambwa who read the judgement on behalf of the full bench said all the MPs whose seats were nullified are free to re-contest.
This means that all the former MPs for Solwezi Central, Petauke Central, Mulobezi, Kasenengwa, Vubwi, Mkushi South, Zambezi West and Malambo constituencies are free to re-contest their seats.
The full Supreme Court bench ruled that the state’s application to set aside the High Court’s ruling lacked merit.
And The Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP says yesterday’s landmark judgment by the supreme court is a victory for both the public and the former members of parliament who were bared to re contest their seats.
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi said the out come was long overdue as the continued delay in the disposal of the cases was a violation of constitutional rights to vote and be voted for respectively.
Mr. Chipenzi said though FODEP is not in support of electoral malpractice and other illegalities; it is the organization’s view and opinion that in the absence of a court conviction of the concerned candidates, it is improper to disallow any candidate whose parliamentary seat has been nullified on account of the electoral process being marred with corruption and illegality.
He noted that the petitions where filed to determine whether the elections were free and fair and not to convict contestants as that is a different process under the current laws.
And Mr. Chipenzi says yesterday’s ruling should serve as an eye opener that should compel electoral stakeholders to campaign for new electoral laws and avoid such controversy in the future.
He said debate on the cases exposed lacunas in the ineffectiveness of the current electoral law, regulations and codes to deal with electoral corruption and other electoral malpractices hence the need to review the current electoral laws.
He also wondered why it is taking the PF government so long to effect electoral reforms when it promised to do that once elected to office.
“The debate exposed some of the serious lacunas in the ineffectiveness of the current electoral law, regulations and codes to deal with electoral corruption and other electoral malpractices. The review of the electoral Act No. 12 of 2006 is a matter of urgency and FODEP does not understand why the PF government has delayed in effecting electoral reforms when areas of reform in the electoral process are well articulated in its manifesto (2011-2016).
“Further, FODEP is concerned that despite the clarity in the constitution with regards the re-contesting or not re-contesting one’s parliamentary seats after nullifications, the Courts took too long to decide on such cases leading to the alleged violation of the Article 67(1) which requires to hold a by-election once the vacancy is due within 90 days a precedence which may have serious future repercussions.”
Ex-Chipolopolo striker Harry Milanzi is among several upcoming coaches attending the ongoing CAF “C” coaching licence course in Lusaka.
Milanzi is currently playing for FAZ Super League side Napsa Stars.
The former Nchanga Rangers striker is attending the coaching course alongside retired footballers like Dabwitso Nkhoma and Douglas Mwamba among others.
Earlier this year, Milanzi contemplated retirement after an injury ravaged 2013 season in which he scored five goals for Napa.
The ex-Golden Arrows, Primeiro de Agosto and Kabuscorp players is on a one year contract at the Lusaka based club.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga (left) addresses new Zambia Railways Board members at his office as the new Board Chairperson Davies Chama looks on in Lusaka
Government says it has raised over K 18.63 million in the last six months from toll gates fitted on some selected points on some roads in the country.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister,Yamfwa Mukanga said the money was raised through a pilot project involving seven toll gates that have been erected on weigh bridges and that only trucks passing through the seven bridges are currently being levied.
Mr. Mukanga said government has currently seen great potential in raising more finances for carrying out more sustainable maintenance of existing roads and those being constructed.
He said they will roll-out to other roads and also put up actual toll gates instead of using weigh bridges to collect the toll fees so that they can capture smaller vehicles under the system.
ZANI9S reports that the Minister was speaking when he made a presentation at the 2014 Africa Ports and Harbours show at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, today.
The Show is a platform where countries speak about their investment potential to prospective investors.
This was contained in statement availed to ZANIS by High Commission of Zambia in South Africa, Press Secretary Nicky Shabolyo.
And the minister told the gathering that government was targeting at diverting transportation of all heavy cargo from the road to the railway network by 2016.
He stated that they repossessed the Zambia Railways from Rails System of Zambia to prevent further damage to the road and improve the rail system which had suffered deterioration due to lack of re-investment.
He said the railway system in the country had deteriorated to levels where trains cannot move at more than 20 kilometres per hour.
“With such low levels of spead, transit time obviously becomes longer and in the process the cost of doing business becomes unbearable,” he said.
Mr. Mukanga said Zambia was committed to regional growth and economic integration through an efficient, cost effective and fully integrated transport infrastructure that adequately meets the needs of the region.
He stated that road projects such as the Link Zambia 8000 and the rail lines being constructed were part of the vision of linking the country to other countries.
Mr. Mukanga pointed out that five railway projects meant to connect major transport corridors were currently being developed as part of Zambia’s efforts to link the region and the projects include the Chingola-Sol-Jimbe railway line,Nseluka-Mpulungu,Chipata-TazaraMpika,Kafue Lion’s den and Livingstone Katima Mulilo rail project.
He also disclosed that government has invested over US$50m in maritime transportation development but this fell below the required levels of investment to make the sector efficient.
Mr. Mukanga said potential investors can also take advantage of the current lack of investment in dry ports, lack of bigger passenger and cargo vessels on lakes and lack of investment in maritime infrastructure.
Acquitted James Mwape with a relative outside court
Kabwe Principle Resident Magistrate, John Mbuzi has acquitted two men of Kapiri Mposhi district on charges of practicing homosexuality.
In his judgment today, Magistrate Mbuzi ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond any reasonable doubt from evidence adduced from its witnesses to secure a conviction.
The case carries minimum of 15 years to life if convicted.
Philip Mubiana, a hair dresser and James Mwape, a bricklayer of Ndeke and Soweto compounds , respectively, were appearing in Kapiri Mposhi Magistrates Court each charged with two counts of committing unnatural offences contrary to section 155 (a) and (c) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
It was alleged that the duo on unknown dates but between 11 and 25 April 2013 and 5th May 2013 in Kapiri Mposhi had canal knowledge of each other against the order of nature and were living as man and wife.
Mubiana and Mwape were being represented by Sunday Nkonde-SC of SNB legal Practitioners of Lusaka after.
In the case that has taken over a year now, the prosecution called up eight witnesses among them Dr. Andrea Bandula and Melody Luhanga, a medical licentiate from Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital who separately carried out physical investigations on the two suspects.
The defense called up only one witness, Dr. Lalick Banda, a Sexual Assault Forensic Expert at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after the accused were found with a case to answer and put on their defense in March 2014.
Delivering judgment in a fully packed court room today, Magistrate Mbuzi stated that according to the evidence adduced from the state witnesses, the accused were not found in a sexual act when they were apprehended.
Magistrate Mbuzi further observed that the evidence brought before court that the two expert state witnesses only conducted physical examinations was not enough to prove the involvement of the two accused persons in a sexual act.
The magistrate ruled that there was need for DNA forensic investigations on the two to prove penetration and ascertain their involvement in a sexual act.
He said although same sex and sodomy was a taboo in the Zambian culture and the Bible, the proof of penetration in this matter was essential.
In their testimony on their findings, expert state witnesses Dr. Andrea Bandula and Melody Luhanga admitted that they had not carried out DNA forensic tests but only conducted physical examinations on the accused persons because of the lapse in the 72 hour time when the two suspects were presented to them by the police.
According to the physical examination findings by the two medical personnel Mubiana was found with anal warts and dilation of his anal pipe while Mwape presented with bruises on his manhood.
Magistrate Mbuzi however ruled that there were also other conditions such as constipation and compromised immunity that can cause the physical examination findings on the two suspects.
“It would be incorrect to infer that the examination findings and conditions presented by the suspects after physical investigations were entirely caused by sexual contact noting that forensic DNA examination was relevant to the process of determining the involvement of the accused persons in a sexual act … I therefore acquit the accused persons on all counts,” Magistrate Mbuzi decreed.
Germany ambassador to Zambia, Bernd Finke witnessed the judgment but refused to give interviews to the media about the outcome of the case and immediately jumped into his car and sped off.
European Union (EU) head of cooperation, Aad Biesebroek and United States embassy representative Mark Padat also witnessed the judgment.
Philip Mubiana in the middle in a black t-shirt with his grandmother outside court after his acquittalGermany Ambassador to Zambia Bernd Finke talks to some of the youths who had displayed placards denouncing homosexuality outside Kapiri mposhi courtEU Head of Cooperation Aa Biesebroek talking to reporters before judgment was passed in a case in which two men were accused of practising homosexuality
