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Government says it strongly believes in the guaranteeing the full and effective participation of women in decision making at all levels of national development.
Ministry of Gender and Child Development Permanent Secretary Daisy Ng’ambi observed that women can only be able to participate as equal partners in development if they feel they have the necessary tools of engagement.
Ms Ng’ambi who spoke through acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry during the capacity Building Workshop for political party women’s wings organized by the Zambia National Women’s Lobby said government will continue to collaborate with the ZNWL to promulgate policies that avail equal opportunities to access to political opportunities by both male and female candidates.
Ms Ng’ambi implored other civil society organisation to come up with similar initiatives that will compliment government’s efforts in ensuring equal representation of women and men in decision making positions.
She has further stressed that government is currently expediting the process of gender main streaming in all departments as one of the many policy interventions in securing gender equity.
And Zambia National Women’s Lobby Chairperson Beauty Katebe noted the involvement in politics by brave mothers has however, not matured with the passage of time as the number of women participating in political party processes and especially in leadership positions is still significantly low.
Ms Katebe noted that women’s contributions to politics has continued to be rewarded with low positions that cannot influence the decisions that are made.
She added that the voices and needs of the marginalised groups such as women need to be heard and that it can only be done through equal representation through increased participation of women in the country’s political process.
Parliament heard today that Chipangali MMD Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Mwale was out of order to film parliamentary proceeding using an Ipad when the house was in a disorderly state arising from the gross disorderly conduct by the opposition members of parliament who wanted the executive to expedite the process of enactment of the new constitution.
This came to light when the speaker of National Assembly Patrick Matibini was passing ruling on the point of order raised by Chipili PF MP Davies Mwale who wanted to know whether Mr Mwale was in order to come into the house with an Ipad and film what was happening in the house.
Dr Matibini explained to the house that Mr Mwale behaved in a dishonourable manner when he used an Ipad to film the proceedings of the house.
He further stated that the rules of the house do not permit members of parliament to take pictures or film the proceedings of the house.
The Speaker said there is no established practice that permits members to take pictures or film the proceedings of the house without the authority of the speaker.
He hinted that only accredited journalists with the National Assembly are authorised to film the proceedings of the house and take pictures in line with the guidelines of the National Assembly.
Mr Matibini said Mr Mwale was bound to observe the rules of the house.
The Speaker advised and warned Mr Mwale to strictly abide by the rules of the house.
Dr Matibini said a repeat of the similar offence in future will attract stiffer penalty.
Mr Mwale has since been pardoned as he was the first offender.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema waves at his supporters
I will continue touring the country and spreading the message of love, unity and development among all Zambians despite the PF repressive and dictatorial Public Order Act which has limited people’s freedoms, says opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking when he toured Kaoma, Luampa, Mangango, and Nkeyema Districts of Western province where he continued receiving defectors from PF, MMD, ULP, and ADD to the UPND, Mr. Hichilema maintained that PF was a one-term mistake government that Zambians cannot allow continue.
“I am going round the country to see for myself the people’s suffering under the brutal PF regime. I am going to Luapula, Muchinga, Northern, Copperbelt, Eastern, North-western, Central, Eastern to see for myself how people are suffering under the PF regime,” Mr. Hichilema said.
Mr. Hichilema said PF ministers are busy cheating President Michael Sata that there is massive development everywhere and that people still love him, yet there is misery everywhere I go.
[pullquote]Mr Hichilema said it was shameful that farmers were now exchanging their maize with fritters (tumbuwa) in some areas as if there was no government in place.[/pullquote]
“I wished my ‘uncle’ Mr. Sata can ride with me in my countrywide tours so that I show him how his government has brought misery to the people of Zambia. His ministers are just getting fat as observed by Mr Sata himself, from travel allowances but giving him fake reports.
Let him come out of State House once in a while and see for himself how his people are suffering. Some of the so called roads being worked on have already started developing potholes because of shoddy works due to corruption,” he said.
Mr. Hichilema said he could not imagine that 50 years after independence, people were still trading under trees and dangerous markets in some urban centers.
“If Mr. Sata does not want to see his people around the country, he should at least allow some of us to mingle and give our people some hope of survival. But sometimes I appreciate why he does not want to travel and see his people. He fears Zambians can start jeering him for the failed leadership. But Zambians are peaceful, loving and very friendly and forgiving people despite the hardships they are going through under PF,” he said.
He bragged that he could take Mr. Sata around the country and apologise on his behalf for the failed and brutal leadership he has subjected Zambians.
“Let Mr. Sata come with me even when I tour his village in Mpika, Muchinga province. I will apologise to the people on his behalf. Zambians are forgiving people and they will not jeer him, especially in my presence. But now I am directing him to announce the maize floor price for the farmers within one week,” Mr. Hichilema said.
He said it was shameful that farmers were now exchanging their maize with fritters (tumbuwa) in some areas as if there was no government in place.
Mr. Hichilema said a situation where briefcase businessmen have evaded the farmers and buying maize cheaply was just adding misery to the rural communities that depended on farming.
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UPND Information (PI Dept)
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections JCTR has noted that human rights are significant in promoting human dignity.
JCTR Director noted that this is essentially so because every person is created in the image of God.
Fr. Chiti said it is for this reason that JCTR is mobilising communities to have dialogue meetings with service providers in the areas of water and sanitation.
Fr. Chiti was speaking today during a media training workshop on Human Rights Reporting.
He said JCTR believes that the media is a strong socialising agent in the promotion of human rights.
He stresses that if a wide range of people are made aware of their rights through the media, then there is a strong belief that more people will be able to demand for their rights.
Fr. Chiti has since implored the media to increase the levels of reporting on human rights issues in zambia and through collaborative efforts that will move further in promoting human dignity.
Father Chiti said this in a speech read on his behalf by JCTR Acting Head of Finance and Administration Patricia Chisanga during the official opening of a human rights training workshop for journalists in Lusaka.
The Immigration Department has expressed ignorance about revelations by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba that he smuggled Kenyan nationals into the country to help the Patriotic Front (PF) conduct the Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT) during the 2011 general elections.
Immigration Department Spokesperson, Namati Nshinka has told Qfm News in a telephone interview that the Department has also only learnt of the revelations through the media.
Mr. Nshinka said that at this stage, the Immigration Department has not made any decision whether or not to institute investigations into the claims. Mr. Nshinka was also reluctant to comment further on the matter, and could not state whether the Immigration Department will pursue the matter further.
Mr. Kabimba who recently made revelations has however challenged those calling for his arrest to state which law he broke.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP has joined calls for investigations on claims that Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba smuggled into the country Kenyans to illegally participate in the country’s 2011 elections.
Speaking in an interview FODEP executive director McDonald Chipenzi said the claims by Mr. Kabimba should be taken seriously as no one should be above the law.
Mr. Chipenzi noted that the PF Secretary General has confessed that he illegally snicked into the country foreign nationals hence breaking immigration laws therefore should be made accountable to the nation for the illegality.
He called on the immigration department to actively fellow up the claims by Mr. Kabimba as they are the department that is responsible with protecting the country’s boarders.
Mr. Chipenzi also emphasized the need for Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ensure that it categorically state its position on the issue.
He said as an institution mandated to run elections in the country it is only fair that ECZ tells the nation what practical steps it is taking to ensure that Mr. Kabimba is accountable for his actions.
Mr. Chipenzi was commenting on the recent remarks by PF General Secretary Wynter Kabimba who said he smuggled Kenyans in country to participate in the elections.
Kalulushi Modern Stars reclaimed the FAZ Division One North top spot after forcing a 1-1 draw at Kitwe United on Wednesday.
Kalulushi have dislodged Mighty from the top on superior goal difference as the two teams are tied on 28 points after the Mufulira side lost 1-0 at FQMO Operation in Solwezi on Wednesday.
At Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe, Robin Siame scored for Kitwe while Chinjoka Nyirenda was on target for Kalulushi in this Week 15 midweek match.
The Buchi Boys drop from 10th to 11th place on the 18-team table with 19 points from 14 matches and have a disputed match against Ndola United.
Might’s loss ended their four-game winning streak of the season.
Elsewhere, Forest Rangers moved back into third place after beating Gomes Wanderers 1-0 at Dola Hill Grounds.
The win pushed Forest to 25 points as at Week 15.
Lime Hotspurs were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Lumwana Radiants and Mining Rangers escaped from Musa Kasonka Stadium with a goalless draw against Ndola United
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani (r) with Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Joyce Kasosa during the violence
SPAX Mining Limited of Chingola has sued Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani for allegedly seizing 3500 bags of Copper ore without seizure notice.
The company has sued Ms Libongani and the Attorney General over the decision by the Copperbelt Police Chief Joyce Kasosa to seize over 3500 bags of copper ore and deploying police officers at plot 5078 in Chingola, without a restriction order.
In his application for judicial review in the Kitwe High Court, Spax mining director Kabaso Mulenga said the defendant’s decision was illegal because the applicants were denied access to their source of income, therefore, causing huge loss of business.
Mr Mulenga explained that the company entered into a contract to buy Copper ore from Cordrill mine, Lunga resources and Caltage mining in North -Western province under the small scale mining licence .
He said the goods were transported from Mufumbwe and Kasempa to Chingola where they were placed at the warehouse located at plot 5078, off Solwezi road in Chingola.
Mr Mulenga stated that on May 3 this year, the defendants through Ms Kasosa conducted a search at the company warehouse purportedly looking for Copper anodes but found Copper ore stored at the said premises upon which they requested for legal documents.
He said required documents were produced to prove ownership and authority from the mines development department at the Ministry of Mines dated April this year.
Mr Mulenga said despite being provided with documentary proof of the source of the copper ore and authority to transport, the defendants deployed four police officers who took over the premises disturbing the flow of business.
“The plaintiff is now unable to purchase, re-sale its low grade copper ore, has been deprived of it’s constitutional guaranteed right to property as it has been forcefully grabbed by the police without any seizure notice being served on the plaintiff,” he said.
Mr Mulenga said the decision by the Copperbelt police chief to seize property without any seizure notice and place the premises on 24 hour police guard without a restriction order was a constitutional infringement on deprivation of property.
High Court Judge Dominic Sichinga has granted leave to apply for judicial review and has ordered that the 3500 bags of low grade copper ore stocks in the ware house be preserved and remain attached to the proceedings until determination of the matter.
Kalulushi Mayor Howard Simpemba (l) with government and council officials inspect structures erected on the Nkana Water and Sewerage Company service lines
The Kalulushi Municipal Council has resolved to re-possess all undeveloped plots allocated to both individuals and Companies in the district.
Council Public Relations Manger Beauty Undi-Phiri said the resolution to re-possess the idle land allocated before the year 2010 was arrived at during the full council meeting held on Friday, June, 2014.
Ms. Phiri said the re-possession of idle land was in line with the Town and Country Planning Act Cap 283 of the laws of Zambia, which mandates the local authority to re-possess land which had been lying idle for a long period of time.
She disclosed that according to the records available at the Council, some developers were given land as far back as the year 2000 and the plots had remained undeveloped since then.
Ms. Phiri explained that the failure to develop the said land was a breach of the condition of offer and requirement to put up a foundation within six months and to complete the building within eighteen months thereafter.
She noted that the exercise would allow the local authority to place land into serious developers who would eventually change the status of the district.
However, Ms Phiri said that Kalulushi had in the recent past seen an increase in the demand for infrastructure in all sectors and it was the duty of the Council to ensure that there was proper infrastructure as it was cardinal to national development.
She said the Council would not hesitate to take to task all those who break the law, by ensuring that they faced the law.
Ms Phiri said that all those that acquired land before 2010 and have not developed it should avail themselves within forty days with necessary documents.
A suspected Zambian poacher has been shot dead by wildlife officers in Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
Bornface Ndauze aged 41 of John Laing Compound in Lusaka is believed to have entered Botswana on a poaching spree with13 other people and was shot dead after an exchange of fire with the wildlife officers in that country.
According to a press release by Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) Public Relations Officer Readith Muliyunda, the body of the deceased has since been repatriated back to Zambia, while the other suspects are on the run.
Mrs Muliyunda said officers from Chobe National Park recovered 10 X .375 live ammunition, 34 Ivory tusks, four axes, four Elephant tails, 12 bags of assorted game meat and a digital weighing scale after the operation which occurred on June 3 this year.
She revealed that in another incident, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) last Friday intercepted a 33 year old businessman for being in possession of four pieces of Ivory weighing 19 kilogrammes at Kazungula border post.
Mrs Muliyunda identified the suspect as Oliver Muchimba of house number A41 in Livingstone.
14 people, including three children who were pedestrians, have been seriously injured following a head-on collision accident involving two buses.
The accident happened yesterday around 18.20 hours in Solwezi’s Mushitala area.
Northwestern province Commissioner of Police Eugene Sibote confirmed the accident to ZANIS in Solwezi today.
Mr Sibote said the accident involved a Mitsubishi bus registration number ACV 7630 and a Toyota Hiace passenger bus registration number ACV 3301 that collided on Kansanshi mine road.
He said the Mitsubishi bus, which eye witnesses believe was carrying mine workers coming from Kansanshi mine, lost control after overtaking another vehicle and hit into an oncoming Toyota Hiace.
Mr Sibote said one of the vehicles also struck three toddlers of ages one year six months, five and seven who suffered fractured limbs.
He said four women and three men, who were on the Mitsubishi bus and other four men from the Toyota Hiace minibus also suffered severe injuries.
The Police chief said all the casualties are admitted in Solwezi general hospital and that the unidentified driver of the Mitsubishi bus is currently on the run.
Meanwhile, Mushitala residents this morning ran amok stoning vehicles and blocked the road that goes to Kansanshi mine to protest over the accident.
Police in riot gear broke up the protest and arrested 30 protesters who have been charged for riotous behavior.
Mr Sibote warned that police will not condone lawlessness and will deal severely with those who want to engage in such acts.
Parliament heard to yesterday that the Vice Presidents “Dr Guy Scott” security personnel did not breach any rules of the house when they entered the house following the gross disorderly conduct caused by the opposition members of parliament on the material day.
Speaker Dr. Patrick Matibini says the security personal did not breach parliamentary rules as they entered parliamentary seating for the purpose of securing the safety of the Vice President.
Passing ruling on the point of order raised by Mwandi MMD area Member Of Parliament Dr Michael Kaingu on Friday 28th, February 2014, whether the vice president was in order to bring armed men in the house for his protection and that of his loved ones.
The Speaker , Dr Patrick Matibini, said the insecure situation the house was in the vice president security officers were justified to enter the house for the purpose of securing the safety of the vice president.
Dr Matibini told the house that Dr Scott holds the second highest office in the country as the republican vice president hence his office entitles him to protection at all times.
He said the security personnel of the vice president are entitled and expected to be armed all the time.
Dr Matibini said security officers were in order to enter the house for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the vice president.
CSO-SUN National Cordinator William Chilufya delivering his opening remarks at the High Level Policy Forum on agriculture
Vice President Dr Guy Scott says Zambian farmers need to change their attitude towards agriculture if the sector is to reach its full potential. Dr Scott observed that most farmers in Zambia treat agriculture as a hobby.
He said the amateurish attitude that most Zambian farmers have towards agriculture need to change if the sector is to be viable.
Dr Scott was speaking in Lusaka when he officiated at a one day High Level Policy Forum on agriculture in Lusaka organised by a consortium of NGO under the theme “Revitalising Agriculture in Zambia towards the 2024 AU Year of Agriculture- “Changing the way we do Agric in Zambia.
[pullquote]“In Zambia we have something similar to the Dutch disease, in fact Kenneth Kaunda didn’t understand economics and I don’t think he still understands economics but he had a good instinct about something and he said am afraid we are cursed because we were born with a copper spoon in our mouth and that destroyed the rest of the economy and I think he had a point.”[/pullquote]
Dr Scott also received the “Do Agric” petition calling for increased investments in agriculture.
Dr Scott and Simuusa join other African leaders such as Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Yayi Boni of Benin in receiving this petition.
The petition is a product of the Do Agric campaign, pan-African initiative led by ONE.org launched in January 2014 to support 2014, AU Year of Agriculture have new commitment that can have end poverty and hunger in Africa.
Dr Scott said Zambia has been discussing economic diversification from mining to other sectors such as agriculture with little success.
“We need to stop reinventing the wheel, we’ve had, I don’t know how many hundreds of projects, NGO driven the projects, Government’s own initiatives aimed at this or that in agriculture and our performance has been below that of our neighbouring countries and a lot of this is due to what they call the Dutch disease,” Dr Scott said.
He added, “In Zambia we have something similar to the Dutch disease, in fact Kenneth Kaunda didn’t understand economics and I don’t think he still understands economics but he had a good instinct about something and he said am afraid we are cursed because we were born with a copper spoon in our mouth and that destroyed the rest of the economy and I think he had a point.”
Dr Scott lamented: “We don’t think business is like agriculture, we don’t say we have to make money out of it. We must export it, we must grow it if its profitable and not if its unprofitable, we just think agriculture is some kind of hobby we do if we are not mining copper. We grow something and we say am a farmer and that curse of Zambia has not gone away yet despite the fact that we’ve spent many years with copper prices so low and we still ant do agriculture variably.”
And Agriculture Minister Wilbur Simuusa committed to working with civil society towards creating an agriculture investment and reform framework that benefits small holder farmers and small to medium sized agri-businesses in Zambia.
“During the year of agriculture, we need to put our money where our mouth is, our government will ensure the same rate of increase in the budget until we meet and exceed the Maputo target of 10%. We want to ensure that the current 7% allocated towards agriculture boosts both production and processing agricultural activities for Zambia to realise the multiplier effect on,” he said.
And Deputy Director for ONE Africa Nachilala Nkombo said it is important for Africa’s leaders to heed the call of the more than 2 million Africans who have signed the petition particularly on closing the gender gap in agriculture.
“These African citizens have come forward telling their leaders to Do Agric because they know that Africa will not succeed in eliminating extreme poverty and hunger if the majority of small holder farmers are not empowerment with modern technologies, cutting edge training and market intelligence systems they need to thrive, she remarked”.
She added, “Lets ensure equal access to productive assets and resources for women and youth will be central in any African governments winning tragedy to cut poverty and create millions of jobs.”
At the same event, CSO-SUN Alliance National Coordinator William Chilufya observed that although Zambia has over the past years achieved food security with regard to staple cereal, achieving food and nutrition security as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization and other international agencies still remains a challenge to the government.
Mr Chilufya said the reality is that malnutrition is one of the greatest challenges facing Zambia today.
“Currently, nearly one in every two children in Zambia is stunted or small for their age. In fact, Zambia has one of the highest rates of stunting in children under five years old in the world. At 45.8%, higher than the 42% average rate for Africa, Zambia’s rate of child stunting remains higher than the vast majority of its neighbouring countries,” he said.
He added, “The high levels of Malnutrition in Zambia create an urgent call to ensure that investment in agriculture becomes a core part of the solution and a preventive strategy by ensuring food is affordable and diverse.”
Mr Chilufya said to do this, Zambia needs to reform existing Agriculture plans to increase their impact on Nutrition by encouraging diversity in food production that is aimed at improving the nutritional outcome of the population through maximizing the positive impact of food and agricultural systems on nutrition.
Delegates speaking at the media interaction shortly after the end of the High Level Policy Forum
Chinese Vice President inspecting a guard of honour
Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao has arrived in Zambia for a three-day visit where he is expected to sign loan and grant agreements to aid Zambia’s development.
Accompanied by 21 businessmen and Communist Party officials, Mr Li is due to sign eight agreements including the financing of hospital and mobile medical clinics, road construction, and electricity generation projects.
Mr. Li, the most senior Chinese leader to visit Zambia since President Michael Sata came to office in 2011, will be in the country at the invitation of the Zambian vice-president Guy Scott.
The Chinese Vice-President will hold private talks with President Sata, and also meet first president Kenneth Kaunda, PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba as well as take part in the photographic exhibition on the results of cooperation between Zambia and China in the last 50 years.
China’s ambassador to Zambia, Zhou Yuxiao said the trip is aimed at further boosting “government-to-government and party-to-party relations between our two countries.” “The purpose of the visit is to commemorate the golden jubilee of the Zambian independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Zambia and to further promote government-to-government and party-to-party relations between our two countries,” Mr Zhou said.
According to the Chinese ambassador, other projects to be considered by Mr. Li were grants to be given to Zambia, borehole drilling, Levy Mwanawasa hospital expansion, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and the cooperation in wild animal and forest cooperation.
Ambassador Zhou who said China wanted to assist Zambia with its road network, health sector and energy sector, said China was also contemplating assisting Zambia with more mobile hospitals.
China’s investment in Zambia rose to US$3.8 billion last year, from the US$3.4 billion in 2012.
When we think of food production, ecosystem, health and human wellbeing, one crucial element is often not mentioned: nutrition. Nutrition is everyone’s business and no one’s responsibility, as the saying goes. But we know that one of the world’s greatest challenges is to secure adequate food that is healthy, safe and of high quality for all, and to do so in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Although Zambia has over the past years achieved food security with regard to staple cereal, achieving food and nutrition security as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization and other international agencies still remains a challenge to the government.
The reality is that malnutrition is one of the greatest challenges facing Zambia today. Currently, nearly one in every two children in Zambia is stunted or small for their age. In fact, Zambia has one of the highest rates of stunting in children under five years old in the world. At 45.8%, higher than the 42% average rate for Africa, Zambia’s rate of child stunting remains higher than the vast majority of it’s neighbouring countries.
The high levels of Malnutrition in Zambia create an urgent call to ensure that investment in agriculture becomes a core part of the solution and a preventive strategy by ensuring food is affordable and diverse. To do this we need to Reform existing Agriculture plans to increase their impact on Nutrition by encouraging diversity in food production that is aimed at improving the nutritional outcome of the population through maximizing the positive impact of food and agricultural systems on nutrition.
Defending champions Nkana moved into seventh place on the table after beating leaders Zanaco in a delayed FAZ Super League Week 5 match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe on Wednesday.
First half goals scored by Ronald Kampamba and Evans Kangwa in a space of two minutes pushed Nkana to 17 points from nine matches.
Kampamba put Nkana ahead after 39 minutes benefiting from a goal melee before Kangwa doubled the lead a minute later.
The second half was an eventful one as Nkana missed a penalty besides having two goals disallowed by referee Milton Mweemba.
Keeper Allan Chibwe saved Derrick Mwansa’s 56th minute penalty following a handball in the Zanaco box.
In the 62nd minute referee Mweemba cancelled Kampamba’s close range header for offside.
On the other hand, Zanaco missed several chances and could have equalised.
Rodrick Kabwe had a free kick on the edge of the box punched for a corner by Rabson Mucheleng’anga.
Meanwhile, this was Zanaco’s second straight loss in four days.
PRESIDENT Michael Sata addressing Cabinet and journalists at State House in Lusaka yesterday
A 42 year old man appeared in the Lusaka magistrate court for spreading rumours that the Republican President would have died by May 30, 2014.
This is in a matter in which Michael Achiume of Libala South Township is facing one count of publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public.
It is alleged that Achiume on May 28, 2014 did falsely publish a statement which was likely to cause fear and alarm by stating that “the President will die by May 30, 2013”.
Achiume who earlier pleaded not guilty before magistrate Wushimanga could however not take plea yesterday after the charge sheet was amended by the State.
After the new charge was read out to him by Ms Wushimanga, his defence lawyer Jonas Zimba from Makebi Zulu and Company informed the court that his client could not take plea because they wanted to advise him on the route to take.
Ms Wushimanga has since adjourned the matter to July 18, 2014.Several other people have been arrested and appeared in different court for spreading similar falsehood about the President’s health.They include two United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres.
