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A Mazabuka Magistrates’ court has committed to the high court for sentencing a 49 year old head teacher of Nameembo Basic School in Chikankata district who recently indecently assaulted a pupil in his office.
Magistrate Greenwell Malumani committed Lloyd Chibwanta to the high court for sentencing after his court found him guilty of committing the offence of indecent assault on females.
Chibwanta who was arrested on 29th November 2013 in Chikankata District facing one count of indecent assault on a female contrary to section 137 cap 87 act number 15 0f 2005 of the laws of Zambia appeared for sentencing in court
Facts before the court were that the on 28th November 2013, Chibwanta indecently assaulted a grade nine pupil at Nameembo Basic School.
Magistrate Malumani said teachers should desist from having sexual relationships with their pupils.
He added that the trend of teachers indulging themselves in sexual activities with pupils were on the increase in Mazabuka district.
He said it was the duty of the court to bring offenders and other would be offenders to book and face the wrath of the law for abusing their powers.
The Magistrate then convicted the accused person and stated that the offence he committed is a serious offence, which carries a minimal sentence of 15 years, therefore his court has no jurisdiction to give the sentence and he committed Chibwanta to the high court for sentencing and remanded him in custody.
He said the sentence that would be given to Chibwanta by the court should serve as a deterrent to other teachers who are supposed to lead an exemplary life noting that teachers are role models in society and should therefore behave as such.
Chibwanta was arrested by police in the area after he was caught by his deputy head teacher having sexual intercourse with the named girl who was his pupil and had just written her grade nine examination at the same school.
MINISTER of Youth and Sport, Chishimba Kambwili, addresses a developmental meeting at Kawawa Primary school in Kasenengwa constituency in Chipata on Wednesday
Acting Labour Minister Chishimba Kambwili has directed management at the state owned Times of Zambia to pay workers their three months salary arrears within two weeks.
Mr Kambwili who is also Sports and Youth Minister said it is totally unacceptable for a Government institution like the Times of Zambia to fail to pay its workers.
He told a media briefing that management at the Times of Zambia must find money to pay the workers within 14 days.
“I hereby issue a 14 day ulti8matum for management to source for funds to clear the three months salary arrears. I don’t care how they do it, all I want to see is that the Journalists at the Times are paid,” Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili added that failing to pay workers at a Government institution is highly embarrassing.
“You know my stance about labour issues and I don’t want to be party to a group that fails to pay its workers, this is unacceptable and embarrassing. I want the M.D and the HR Director to find money within 14 days to pay the workers.”
He said Government will not allow industrial unrest at Government institutions arising from failure to pay workers on time.
Mr Kambwili also issued a one month ultimatum to Lusaka City Council and other councils to pay the workers their salaries.
“I find it strange that a council like Mpulungu can pay workers on time and big councils like Lusaka City Council and Chipata Municipal Council are failing to pay their workers on time,” he said.
Unionised workers at the Times of Zambia have gone on a work stoppage after management failed to pay their salaries for three months.
Vice President Guy Scott’s reaction to President Edith Nawakwi’s sound and timely advice that the Government should send KCM a tax bill for all its outstanding taxes following the revelations by KCM owner, Anil Agarwal that KCM was making an excess of $500 million dollars in profits shows that Mr. Scott is not being truthful.
Guy Scot is quoted in today’s edition of the Post Newspapers saying that the government is already working on sending KCM the tax bill.
But on Monday, President Sata said that Government is still waiting for a report from the Ministry of Mines for it to decide which action to take.
It is therefore not correct for Guy Scott to tell us that the government has already made a decision to send KCM a tax bill unless he (Scott) is telling us that his President, Mr. Sata was lying when he said that government is awaiting a report from the Ministry of Mines before it decides what to do with KCM.
It is this arrogance from the top Government officials which is making it difficult for us the opposition to help them govern. Instead of thanking President Nawakwi for giving the government wise counsel, Mr. Scott has chosen to pour scorn on Nawakwi saying she has no right to comment on these issues because according to him “She is a lone voice”
File: A ZESCO LTD worker working on high voltage power cables
Government says North Western Province will only acquire meaningful development once it is fully connected to the national electricity grid.
Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) Managing Director Cyprian Chitundu said the company is spending over US $8million to run diesel electricity generators.
Speaking during a cocktail celebrating the US$ 165million financing for the North Western Province grid extension project Mines on Tuesday, Energy and Water development Minister Christopher Yaluma said though North Western Province has huge economic potential it has remained under developed due to inadequate and unreliable power supply.
Mr. Yaluma reiterated government’s commitment to improving the foundation for economic and social development and observed that reliable and adequate power supply is a fundamental element.
He said the grid extension will benefit the people of North western province as a reliable and cost effective power supply will help open up the great economic potential of the province.
“Given the great potential for economic development that North-Western Province has, operating a reliable and cost effective power supply from the national grid will benefit the residents in the area through increased employment opportunities and various economic activities which is in line with government policy of job creation,” the Minister said.
ZESCO managing director Cyprian Chitundu said the company was spending huge sums of money supplying electricity using generators and maintaining the generators which have been characterized by inadequate capacity, low reliability of supply and high operational costs.
Mr. Chitundu said the company was using over US$8 million per year on diesel alone to run the stations while the corresponding revenue is less than the fuel cost hence the grid extension will help save money to invest in other infrastructure development.
He also noted that the constraints in power supply in the province has been hindering the improvement of the quality of lives for people in province.
Only two districts are connected to the national grid in North Western province while the rest run on diesel generators.
In March this year ZESCO signed a US$163 million loan agreement with Nordea Bank AB of Sweden and Standard Bank of South Africa.
The loan agreement will result in the connection of the entire North-Western Province and some parts of Western Province to the national electricity grid.
The project involves the construction of an extensive 132KV sub-transmission lines totaling 840 kilometres as well as establishing 132/33/11KV bulk supply sub-stations to facilitate electrification of public facilities, schools, rural health centres, Government institutions and chiefs’ palaces.
The aforementioned transmission lines will link Mwinilunga, Kabompo, Mufumbwe, Mumbejhi, Chavuma, Zambezi and Lukulu District in Western Province.
ZESCO signed an Engineering and Procurement Contract with Eletel Networks TE AB of Sweden to execute the project in 24 months.
Zone Fam present their latest single “Ntete” Produced by long time collaborator Dida Steez. A ‘Ntete’ is a Grasshopper in Zambian dialect – Nyanja. They decided to take it to their roots on this song and created an infectious Hip Hop tune that will get people in a Jovial Mood!
Zone Fam would also like to Officially announce the title of their second album that will aptly be titled “Bar Code”– Most Hip Hop Fans will immediately relate to this title but for those that are less Hip Hop inclined – Bar Code is the Unique Rap Style and Language that Zone Fam present as a collective; Bars are lines therefore the Code is the format in which it is displayed.
The album will be released under the Taurus Musik Label and the release date shall be announced soon.
PRESIDENT Michael Sata addressing Cabinet and journalists at State House in Lusaka yesterday
African politicians perception of illness
This week, Lusaka Times reported that President Sata lashed “out at people peddling lies about his health.” Is King Cobra really sick? This seems to be a billion dollar question that many Zambians want answered. Some people are busy analyzing his pictures to answer this question, while others are busy speculating that the president has cancer. But my question is, so what? Being ill is not a crime—unless you are iron man. After all, even Cobras get sick.
Honestly, I have followed discussions on the health of African presidents with great disappointment. It seems that African politicians believe that illness means failure, which is not the case. To be human is to become sick; hence there is nothing wrong with the president seeking medical care—that’s what all humans do. Again, presidents are not iron men, but human beings with the same frailty we all carry. Unless we exist on planet Mars, I am still to find a person who has never been ill or who will never die. So why are African politicians afraid of revealing their health status? While I am disappointed with those who want to politick around King Cobra’s health, I am equally concerned with those who want to bury their heads in the sand.
African Presidents who concealed their illnesses and later died
Let me start with Nigeria—his cabinet knew that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had health issues long before he took power in 2007. Until his death in 2010, his health records remained a state secret. Two years later, John Atta Mills, the president of Ghana, and President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi died. In both cases, those close to them knew about their health issues—but pretended as if all was fine. If you follow Zambian politics, you know that our own situation was not that different in 2008. President Mwanawasa’s health was a big concern during the 2006 election campaign. President Sata was among those who raised this concern, but we were told he was fine. President Mwanawasa, I submit, would be alive today had he being helped to resign on medical grounds.
The need for Independent medical Board to certify Zambia’s Presidents
This brings me back to the current debate over President Sata’s health. To me, whether the president is well or not is immaterial. We all have the right to choose who to believe, but only an independent medical team can reveal the truth. So what is the way forward?
It is time we humanize illness—old and young, we all get sick, and can die anytime. Some illnesses like cancer are terminal, while others are not. Knowing that we can all get sick should summon in us the spirit of our common humanity or ubuntu, so as to sympathetically relate to those with health challenges. Moreover, our constitution has a succession clause for that very reason—the president can die anytime. As for those who think being young means long life—think twice. Who thought President Robert Mugabe and President Kaunda would outlive Mwanawasa or Chiluba? Remember, in 1996, Chiluba teased Kaunda about his old age—saying that the “big man was finished. Today KK is alive, and Chiluba is gone.
That said, there is a danger to hide the President’s health status. Citizens deserve answers to the following questions: How healthy is our president? Is his illness terminal or not? Is the president’s mental capacity affected by the illness? If his illness is terminal and compromises his mental capacity, then we all have reasons to worry. Like it or not, his ministers will steal as much as possible—knowing too well that the president will be blamed after his demise.
To protect our nation from such dire situations, we need to demand a law that establishes annual public health records, certified by an independent medical team for the president and his cabinet. Likewise, we need health records for all aspiring presidential and parliamentary candidates. This situation will humanize illness as well as put to rest to some of the rumors that surround the president’s health.
My prayer is that if King Cobra is ill, PF must be open about it. Besides, the way the president handles his illness can inspire millions in similar situations. As for those politicking around his ill-health, I beg to differ. I am a very big critic of President Sata’s administration, but I will never celebrate his ill-health (even if it true)—he is a father, grandfather and husband. Unless his illness affects his mental capacity, our constitution does not penalize him from holding his office. Moreover, in the absence of an independent medical evaluation, only the president and his doctors know the truth—and he alone can make the final call. As for now, we can only speculate.
Chawama Member of Parliament (MP), Edgar Lungu, has directed that houses that have allegedly been built on the Freedom Compound clinic premises be demolished.
Suspected people believed to be party cadres have allegedly encroached the clinic premises and constructed houses despite being notified against the move.
This came to light when Mr Lungu, who was accompanied by PF John Howard Ward-3 Councillor, Adam Mwanza, PF Nkoloma Ward-1 Councillor, Lawrence Sichalwe, PF Chawama Constituency and senior government officials, paid an impromptu visit at the clinic.
Mr Lungu, who is also Defence Minister, said government wants sanity in the administration of land and it would not condone lawlessness in the country regardless of political affiliation, colour or religion.
He said the land that has been encroached is earmarked for the construction of an ultra-modern police post and a school
He said encroachment notices were issued to the people in question but regretted that the notices were ignored.
He further warned that the perpetrators risked being prosecuted and serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
The MP also toured and inspected developmental projects in his area, among them the hammer mill at Freedom Women Club, feeder roads and the newly opened Makeni shopping Mall on the Kafue/Livingstone highway road.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa
Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa has called for the inclusion of Computer lessons into the Zambian school syllabus.
Mr Sampa said the ever evolving technological advancement in today’s world demands school pupils to be computer literate.
Mr Sampa who is also Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister made the call in Lusaka today when he officiated at the launch of the MTN “21 days of Yellow Care” that will see the company’s employees conduct computer lessons at three selected schools in Matero Constituency for the next 21 days.
The Matero Parliamentarian was also delighted that the company will donate 10 computers to one of the three schools.
The schools are Mulongoti, Hillside and George Primary Schools.
And speaking on behalf of MTN Chief Executive Officer Abdul Ismail, Clement Asante said there is urgent need to address the low levels of Information Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge in Zambia.
He attributed the low ICT literate levels in the country to lack of exposure to technology adding that MTN was trying to bridge that gap through initiatives such as the 21 Days of Yellow Care.
And Lusaka District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Grace Banda said the move by MTN will enable pupils have hands-on computer lessons.
Ms Banda said the initiative by the phone service provider is timely as it comes at a time when most schools are introducing computer lessons in their schools.
She commended MTN for supplementing government efforts in the provision of quality education to pupils.
Designer of Zambia Golden Jubilee logo poses for a photo with Namakau Kapizhya during the launch of the jubilee celebrations
A nine-man Chinese delegation has arrived in the country to train Zambian people ahead of the 50 year jubilee celebrations.
The Chinese technical experts arrived on May 22 and would stay on up to the end of October, this year.
Zambia At 50 Chairperson, Mulenga Kapwepwe, confirmed the development to ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka today.
Ms Kapwepwe said the collaboration would result in skills transfer in choreography, lighting, sound, costume and prop design and commended the Chinese government for coming on board to help Zambia with the preparations for the commemorations.
Ms Kapwepwe said the experts would teach Zambian artists, pupils and students in mass movement performances ahead of the jubilee.
She said Zambia appreciates the efforts and contributions from the Chinese government is making in ensuring that the celebrations are a success.
“Based on the close historical ties founded on the basis of friendship, equality and mutual respect that Zambia enjoys with China, the two countries are celebrating 50 years of bilateral relations. I would like to thank the Chinese government for coming on board to help Zambia celebrate her golden jubilee,” Ms Kapwepwe said.
And Chinese Delegation leader, Wang Chao, commended the Zambian government for the warm and cordial welcome accorded to his team.
Mr Chao disclosed that his team would visit some significant sites in Zambia to acquaint themselves and help them learn more about Zambia’s rich endowed culture.
Zambia will this year celebrate its golden jubilee under the theme” Commemorating God’s favour of Zambia’s 50 year of independence for continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity”.
Government has lined up various activities ahead of the jubilee and it is optimistic that the celebrations would be success.
Zambia attained her independence in 1964 and turns 50 on October 24, 1964.
President Michael Sata has congratulated Peter Mutharika on his election victory as President of Malawi in the just ended tripartite elections.
President Sata joins other Heads of State who have congratulated the new Malawian leader.
President Sata said Prof. Mutharika’s election victory is an attestation of the confidence the people of Malawi have entrusted in him to guide and govern them on the path to prosperity.
Mr. Sata said this in a press statement released to media in Lusaka yesterday by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.
The Head of State reaffirmed government’s desire to maintain the excellent fraternal relations that already exist between the two sisterly countries.
“The peaceful process of the change of power demonstrates the maturity of democracy in your country as well as the aspirations of the people of Malawi to live in continued peace and harmony. As the Malawian people celebrate your victory, I wish to reaffirm my Government’s desire to maintain the excellent fraternal relations that already exist between our two sisterly countries,” President Sata said.
President Sata stated that he looked forward to working closely with the Malawi President in exploring new areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.
He wished the new President-elect best wishes and personal good health as well as success in discharging the functions of the highest office in that country.
“I look forward to working closely with you Your Excellency, in exploring new areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of our two peoples. Please accept, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, my best wishes for your personal good health as well as success in discharging the functions of the highest office in the Republic of Malawi,” he said.
The Zambia Centre for Social Development ZCSD has backed sentiments echoed by their counterpart Foundation for Democratic Process that government is westing its time in threatening NGOs that have not registered under the controversial NGO act No 16 of 2009 with de-registration.
Speaking in an interview ZCSD Executive Director Lewis Mwape said the threats are baseless as there is no way government through the Ministry of Community Development can de-register organisations that are not registered with them.
Mr. Mwape likened the threats to a man who tries to divorce a woman who he is not married to something he said is impossible as one can only divorce someone he/she is married to.
He reiterated that their resolve as NGOs still remains the same and that they will not bow down to pressure nor be intimidated with what he termed “miscommunication” of sending threatening letters to organisations that are not registered with the ministry.
“For us what we think is that the issue of threatening NGOs with de-registration is neither here nor there because in the first place how can you de-register an organisation that is not registered with you? How can you divorce a woman that you have not married? How can you de-register an organisation that you have not registered?” Wondered Mr. Mwape.
He added, ” so its misplaced communication that the ministry is trying to threaten our members with de-registration which is unfortunate and we urge the ministry to suspend the exercise us it will not take them anywhere.”
And Mr. Mwape has questioned how government intends to de-register them when they are registered under the company’s act.
Mr. Mwape’s comments fellows government’s threats that it will de-register any NGO that has not registered with the NGO act No 16 of 2009 to which the NGOs have refused to do so even after government extended the registration period.
The NGOs have called for the repeal of the act as they consider it to be unfriendly to the free and independent operations of NGOs in the country and that it will be used by government to control them as well as stifle their freedom.
Commercial Farmers in Mkushi District have apologized to Government for having walked out of a meeting involving the Workers Compensation Fund and District Administration.
Mkushi District Commissioner(DC) Luka Mwamba confirmed this to ZANIS on Tuesday, saying that he had accepted the apology from the Farmers on behalf of Government.
Mr. Mwamba said that Government had welcomed the move made by the Commercial Farmers Representative Andrew Moffat, adding that relations between the two parties had been harmonized.
The DC explained that Commercial Farmers had walked out of a meeting in which the Workers Compensation Fund Officials were sensitizing the Farmers on the remittance of monies for their Employees, as Savings in this institution.
He said that the apology from the Farmers had paved way for another meeting to be organized by Workers compensation in which the same parties would be involved.
Mr. Mwamba said that the proposed meeting would be of much benefit to Employees, Employers as well District Administration.
Mr. Andrew Moffat, who is Mkushi District Farmers Association (MDFA) Chairperson had formally apologized to Government’s District Administration for the walk out action by the Farmers.
Mr. Moffat, who is also Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) second Vice President, had attributed the behaviour from Farmers to a breakdown in communication in which Farmers are said to have misunderstood the essence of the meeting.
Unionised Times Printpak Zambia employees have gone on strike in protest over three months salary arrears.
The workers are also demanding that Times Printpak management reverses the transfer of employees that was effected after a sit-in protest in March this year.
Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) General Secretary Angela Chishimba who confirmed the development in a press statement said ZUJ has been notified about the strike action.
Miss Chishimba has appealed to government to intervene by recapitalising the institution adding that ZUJ has been actively engaging government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services over the plight of workers at Times Printpak.
She has also advised management at the institution against taking decisions that will agitate the situation further.
Miss Chishimba said workers are of the view that management is concentrating on paying retirees, legal fees and meeting its entitlements at the expense of payment of salaries.
Asian champions Japan on Tuesday won their penultimate friendly game in Florida ahead of Fridays warm-up against Zambia at the same venue.
Samurai Blue beat Costa Rica 3-1 in their first match at Raymond James Stadium since arriving in the USA for the pre-World Cup camp on May 30 as they prepare to head to the 2014 FIFA World Cup under their Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
Costa Rica took the lead in the 31st minute through PSV Eindhoven and ex-Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz.
The Asian champions began their comeback with a 60th minute equaliser through Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo just 15 minutes after coming on.
Manchester United striker Shinji Kagawa put Japan in front late in the game in the 80th minute.
Cerezo Osaka midfielder Yoichiro Kakitani scored the third goal in extra-time after coming on as a 76th minute substitute.
The win was Japan’s fourth friendly win this year following a 4-2 win over New Zealand on March 5 in Tokyo and 1-0 home win over Cyprus at Saitama on May 27.
Zanaco midfielder Isaac Chansa believes Zambia will not disappoint in Friday’s friendly against Asian champions Japan.
Japan host Zambia in Tampa, Florida en route to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“Japan are a great team, they have got players who can change the game but I believe we do have players that can change the game for us,” Chansa said.
“We got the experience and with the mix that is there of 2012 and now, I know we will give Japan a good game. We had a good training programme, and all we need now is to go out there and play to win.”
Meanwhile, the 22-member Zambia team left for the United States on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the June 6 friendly.
