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PRESIDENT Michael Sata has described the late former Zambian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Aaron Mulenga as a dedicated and selfless citizen.
The President said the late Mr Mulenga, 80, enormously contributed towards the attainment of sustainable economic and social development in Northern Province.
Mr Sata said the late envoy played a pivotal role in the development and improvement of infrastructure at both national and regional level adding that, his achievements would always be engraved in the history of the nation.
The Head of State also recognized the role the late Mr Mulenga played that of being among those who led to the development of translating Bemba Bibles through his immense experience.
Mr Sata said this in his message of condolences delivered to the bereaved family by Northern Province Minister, Freedom Sikazwe during the burial of the envoy who was put to rest at Kapoka commentary yesterday.
Among other things that Mr Mulenga would be remembered for is that he was also a translator of many pamphlets and books on decentralization for the Ministry of Education under Irish AID and booklets on HIV/AIDS.
Mr Mulenga also served on several boards among them Lukashya Trades Institute and Kasama Boys Secondary School as well as being the first President for a Roman Catholic Church organisation called Kolping Association.
Mr Mulenga once served as former Northern Province Minister and Governor of Kasama in the United National Independence Party (UNIP) regime.
Family representative Kasonde Kasutu praised government for ensuring that all the logistics for the funeral were put in place in good time.
Mr Mulenga died in Kasama at the weekend after an illness and leaves behind a wife with two children and several grand-children.
A BUS driver in Kitwe has alleged sustained a damaged bladder after falling victim to police brutality.
The bus driver identified as Beckum Hamanjanji, 25, had his bladder damaged after police in Ndola allegedly beat him around the private parts.
Mr Hamanjanji who had to be admitted to Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) for intestinal obstruction, was kicked around the private parts by an overzealous police officer only identified as Nyambe in a scuffle that took place at Twapya Police Post in Ndola.
Copperbelt police commissioner Joyce Kasosa could neither confirm nor deny the incident when contacted as she had not received details on the matter.
But Mr Hamanjanji who was found admitted at KCH in Luangwa ward said the incident happened on Monday right inside Twapya Police Post.
He said his falling victim to police brutality was a result of an explanation he had sought as to why his conductor had been harassed by the assailant for demanding payment for bus fares.
“On Monday, I loaded a trip to Ndola and on board the vehicle was Mr Nyambe who was in the company of his colleague and were both in civil clothes.
“When we arrived in Ndola, the two said they wanted to buy first buy me a drink and they asked if I could accompany then into a bar but I refused and instead told my conductor to follow them,” he said.
Mr Hamanjanji said after a few minutes, he saw his conductor returning with a torn shirt and upon asking, he said Nyambe and his colleague did that to him.
“When I went there myself and demanded for bus fare payment, the two manhandled me and took me to Twapya Police Post where they beat me up,” Mr Hamanjanji said.
He said in the process of the beating, Nyambe kicked him around the private parts resulting in him sustaining a damaged bladder.
The driver experienced a terrible pain that left him powerless and fellow to the floor but the police officer took that for a joker and refused to grant him a medical report until the following day when the matter was reported to the superior who issued the medical report after seeing Mr Hamamjanji’s swollen private parts.
Ms Kasosa said investigations would be conducted since a medical report had been issued and if found guilty, the involved police officer would be prosecuted because no one was above the law.
File: Peasant farmers sifting through their maize before selling the crop to the Food Reserve Agency
Zambia risks losing out on the anticipated increased investment destined for the African Agricultural sector if the country does not undertake specific measures to unlock economic structures that are currently impeding growth of the industry, says Civil Society Organisations.
The CSOs said growth in Agriculture represents a huge untapped economic opportunity in Zambia, which has over 70 per cent of people being employed in the sector currently.
And studies across Africa have also shown that growth in the agriculture sector is more inclusive and has the potential of reducing poverty 11 times faster than growth in other sectors.
2014 is the 11th year since Zambia signed the African Union Maputo declaration on Agriculture and Food Security that entails member states commitment to Agriculture spending and promoting annual growth in the sector of 6%.
Zambia’s Agriculture spending has been on average six per cent between 2003 and 2013, which is far below the Maputo Declaration. Even with the current spending, concerns have been raised on the fact that Zambia is spending largely on the Farmer Input support programme (FISP) and the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) at expense of other critical interventions such as extension services and training, research, technology and infrastructure.
On 18th June 2014, Government leaders, Civil Society organizations, Farmers, Private sector and Development partners will meet in Lusaka to discuss how to revitalise the Agriculture agenda in 2014, which is the African Union year of Agriculture and food security.
The one day high level policy forum on Agriculture has been jointly convened by the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD), ONE, Civil Society-Scaling up Nutrition (CSO-SUN), Agriculture Consultative Forum (ACF), Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), Platform for Social protection Zambia (PSP- Zambia) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
The meeting, where Vice President Guy Scott and Agriculture Minister Wilbur Simuusa are expected to officiate, will commit to a set of principles, policies and strategies to identify the priority interventions required to boost smallholder farmers and to develop the agriculture value chain in Zambia’s year of agriculture through the development of a national programme of action for Agriculture for the year 2014.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Centre for Trade Policy and Development Executive Director Isabel Mukelabai said this was an opportunity for Zambia to diversify from being a mono-economy primarily dependent on copper exports to a broader economy that places Agriculture at the centre stage of initiatives to drive inclusive economic growth that would impact on the majority poor.
“Since the AU 2003 Maputo declaration on Food Security and Agriculture was signed, Zambia has made notable efforts to reform agriculture and address hunger as well as food insecurity, however, vulnerabilities still exist. This is because most of the Agricultural production in Zambia is currently at subsistence level and remains highly untapped in terms of its potential to drive the economy,” Ms. Mukelabai said.
“To change this picture, Government needs to undertake specific measures to diversify the Agriculture sector by changing the economic structures that underpin agriculture so that it is unlocked to not only address food insecurities but also attract investment to drive growth, expand economic opportunities such as enhanced agricultural trade and address under nutrition.”
She further explained that Zambia has potential to set the pace for economic growth through Agriculture in the Africa region if correct priorities in the Agriculture sector are set but also actually implemented.
“The Ministry of Finance has commenced the preparations of the 2015 national budget and 2015-2017 MTEF and this provides a ripe opportunity to ensure that key priorities in the Agriculture sector can be set. We would like to see more attention and budgetary allocations being made to support extension service provisioning to small holder farmers, research and technological improvements within the sector and not just FISP. We would also like to see Government taking firm steps to address current challenges in the agricultural value chain and improve the implementation of the agri-business strategies” she said.
And CSO-SUN country coordinator William Chilufya urged Government to establish a framework to be derived from expected outcomes at the forum.
“Africa is rising as the number one investment destination in the world, and there are immense social and economic opportunities that can be derived from Agriculture especially if it is made nutrition sensitive so Zambia stands to benefit now and in the future if an effective framework to transform agriculture and negotiate better contractual terms with investors is put in place,” said Mr. Chilufya.
“We are excited to be part of the High level Agriculture Policy Forum, it’s a very good opportunity to begin addressing the issue of reforming 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.”
He added, “To overcome the dual challenges of under and imbalanced nutrition requires a diversified diet made up of safe, sufficient and nutritious food over the lifecycle, especially for women of reproductive age and children”
And Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda says government has recognised that agriculture has the potential to drive the economy of Zambia.
“If developed to its fullest potential, the Agriculture sector will not only ensure national food security but will create the much needed jobs and earn the country foreign exchange through exports of food and other agro products, this is why we are putting in place a range of policies to support the productivity and profitability of agriculture,” said Mr Chikwanda.
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) wants more powers to impose severe sanctions against political parties or individuals abrogating the Electoral Code of Conduct with impunity.
ECZ chairperson Ireen Mambilima said only if the Commission is given more powers to impose serve sanctions would it also level the electoral playing field.
Speaking during the ECZ political parties liaison on the delimitation of wards and polling districts at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Ms Justice Mambilima said what the Commission was asking for was nothing out of the ordinary.
“Time and again, we have seen the abrogation of the Electoral code of conduct with impunity. It is our view that if we have to effectively level the electoral playing field, we must be given powers to impose more severe sanctions than those which are obtaining now,” she said.
Ms Justice Mambilima gave an example of Kenya where the abrogation of the Electoral code attracts severe sanctions including a fine and barring the culprits from participating in the next elections.
She said stakeholders had always called for the strengthening of the Commission’s powers so that that it could disqualify political parties and candidates who engage in violence and other electoral malpractices.
The ECZ is proposing increasing the number of constituencies countrywide from the current 150 to 235 following President Michael Sata’s decision to establish 29 new districts which has resulted in the revision of district boundaries.
“Invariably, some constituency boundaries have also been affected by the revised district boundaries meaning that the Commission will adjust some constituency, ward and polling district boundaries to avoid a situation where a constituency falls within two or more districts,” she said.
Ms Justice Mambilima said the need to adjust electoral boundaries was a priority to ensure all the new districts have at least one constituency and to realign the boundaries of wards and constituencies that have been affected by the creation of the new districts.
The ECZ chairperson said the constituencies that overlap into two districts were not only a serious challenge to the Commission in terms of logistical and personnel election administration but also for the Councillors who belong to more than one districts.
The parties that attended the workshop unanimously welcomed the delimitation exercise with PF deputy secretary General Bridget Atanga saying the move would mitigate the long distances people used to walk to polling stations.
UPND general secretary Winstone Chibwe said the move was long overdue while UNIP director of elections, Henry Silumesi described it as a progressive idea which should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu said the delimitation would cut vast constituencies to manageable size while ZADECO president Langtone Sichone said ECZ must complete the exercise before the 2016 general elections.
Education Minister John Phiri and Turkish Ambassador to Zambia Ahmet Arda sharing wards during Horizon Education Trust School ground breaking for the Girls Secondary School
Government says the introduction of teaching licenses is aimed at bringing sanity in the education sector.
Education Minister John Phiri says all teachers in both public and private schools will be expected to be registered and obtain licenses from the teaching council prior to teaching.
Dr. Phiri said the programme will also bring about the regulation of teacher’s conduct in line with the teaching service commission.
And the Zambia Union of Teachers (ZNUT) has welcomed the move by the Ministry of Education to introduce teaching licenses for teachers .
ZNUT General Secretary Newman Bubala says the introduction of Teaching Licenses will bring professionalism amongst teachers as they will be forced to abide by the teaching ethics.
Government recently established the teaching licence exercise where all teachers in the country in private and public learning institutions will be required to go through scrutiny to improve standards of education in the country.
FILE: Heritage Party President Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda
Heritage Party (HP) President Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda has advised Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Professor Nkandu Luo, to recuse herself forthwith from matters regarding the Bemba Royal Establishment, particularly the Paramount Chief saga.
In a statement made available to the media , the HP president said further advised Prof Luo and the Government to avoid using official government positions to wage personal or private battles.
Below is the full statement
STATEMENT: OPEN LETTER TO MINISTER OF CHIEFS AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
[Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda – Heritage Party 12TH JUNE 2014)
The threats and call by Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Professor Nkandu Luo, to ‘arrest’ Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II of the Bemba people is uncalled. This latest spat is seems to be personal but is contributing to further divisions in the nation. I advise the Minister, or indeed the Government, to avoid using official government positions to wage personal or private battles. In the statement that I heard on radio the Minister seemed to be personal as she preferred to warn the Paramount Chief by his name, warning him as ‘Chanda Sosala’. This may confirm grapevine information that there is a personal feud raging in this saga. In view of this I urge Honourable Professor Nkandu Luo to recuse herself forthwith from matters regarding the Bemba Royal Establishment, particularly the Paramount Chief saga.
Procedurally the threat lacks the force of law; traditionally the threat demeans the Establishment of Chiefs in general and in particular that of the Bemba Royal Establishment as a whole. This is a poor display of decorum and protocol and an example of how not to govern. It is unproductive for the Government to continually engage publicly in squabbles with any of our chiefs or prospective chiefs when other means of engagement are available.
Under the current Constitution and even under the Chiefs Act, neither the Minister nor the President has powers of installing or removing a chief, as this is and should remain the preserve of the local communities or clans according to their various systems of selection and succession. It is contended that publication in the Government Gazette is a mere administrative function to formalise the decision already taken by the relevant community (in the military we call such publications Part 2 Orders). It is really for purposes of record and order as well as to avail the stipend that Government accords to every chief. In fact we urge that this task should be undertaken by a designated clerk and NOT the President, after all formalities have been carried out.
Should the Police act on the Minister’s illegal directive they may be opening themselves to sanctions. Not so long ago it was reported (I hope it was not true) that 400 armed policemen or paramilitary officers besieged and surrounded the Chitimukulu’s palace without lawful justification but to prevent his installation! They thus detained the Paramount Chief in his own palace while restricting his movement; this is contrary to some parts of Part Three of our Constitution! There was no need even for five. This is what prompted me to issue the statement titled “Abash Undeclared War in Bembaland” on 1st December 2013. It was unbelievable that professional officers could behave in that manner as though an enemy from Mars had landed in Zambia!
By ordering the Police to arrest the Paramount Chief the Minister is attempting to illegally remove him from his throne. This is NOT the procedure for removing one who has been appointed by those who have the authority to appoint; in the case of the Bemba Royal Establishment it is the Bashilubemba, who are expected to follow their customs, practices and tradition. It is NOT for the Minister or the Government to indicate their private or personal feelings. The contending and/or aggrieved parties should be left to ‘fight it out’ traditionally or through the Courts of Law. Instead of threatening the Paramount Chief, the Minister should direct her anger at the Bashilubemba who have confirmed publicly that they followed their tradition and endorsed or appointed him as the Paramount Chief. Any one NOT satisfied has to follow the procedures that the Minister has referred to, that is litigate if they have proper grounds for their grievance.
Lastly I advise the Bemba Royal Establishment to contest the ‘invasion and detention’ of the Paramount Chief in our Courts, even though at the moment we may not have confidence in the judiciary because some of the judges may have been compromised or may have an interest in the Chitimukulu wrangle. It may have been an error of judgement or an oversight for the President to appoint Professor Luo as a Minister for Chiefs Affairs; she is a judge in her own cause. When shall we begin to respect and observe the principal of recusal in this country? It does not only happen in the case of judges but in any undertaking that calls for a just resolution of a dispute. That is why an MP who does not declare interest when debating an issue in the National Assembly opens himself or herself to sanctions when this is discovered; there are precedents both in the Zambian as well as the Commonwealth Parliaments where MPs have been punished, some may have even lost their seats! Why should Ministers not observe this cardinal principle? Abash Undeclared War in Bembaland!
As I stated in a previous statement (titled “Open Letter to Chiefs in Zambia” dated 24th July 2013) I reiterate the call that all chiefs in Zambia should speak out against uncalled for threats and attacks on other chiefs and treat an illegal attack on one chief as an attack on all of them. We thus proudly support His Royal Highness Chief Mukuni for supporting his Royal brother Chitimukulu and expect more chiefs to do so.
I advise the Minister to desist from governing by intimidation and instilling fear in citizens. I reiterate what I said before, that threats are not a sign of power or authority but oftentimes may be indicators of a state of insecurity and/or fear by those uttering them. I call upon the President to consider transferring the Minister to another Ministry where she may not be personally, emotionally or sentimentally attached.
GODFREY MIYANDA, BRIGADIER GENERAL, HERITAGE PARTY [12TH JUNE 2014]
Tennant Chilumba says Power Dynamos are geared for Saturday’s big derby showdown away to Nkana despite their recent poor run.
Power have suffered from erratic form in their last seven league games heading into the derby after recording four straight draws, two wins and their first leg defeat on May 31 away to Konkola Blades.
“ You know, I think we have done well, with only a loss in 12 matches, I think so far we are hundred percent, so we are game,” Chilumba said.
However, Chilumba heads into the derby without a win against Nkana who beat his sides 2-0 in Wusakile and drew 1-1 at Arthur Davies.
Second placed Power are current four points behind leaders Zanaco on 25 and 29 points from 12 and 11 matches played respectively.
Nkana are eighth on 13 points from seven matches played with a game in hand.
The Zambia police has announced a reward offering of K5000 to any person with information leading to the arrest of the persons who indecently assaulted a woman.
Police Deputy Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the assailants in this case paraded a naked woman who they publicly harassed on allegation that she had committed adultery with an unknown man.
Mr Hamoonga said the said assailants shot a video of the whole scenario which they posted and is currently circulating on the internet.
“We are encouraging any person with information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this inhuman and degrading form of gender based violence to report to any nearest police station,” Mr Hamoonga said.
He added, “We would like to warn other people that are in the habit of making, posting and distributing such nude pictures or video that under the Zambian law acts of this nature amounts to committing a crime upon which a person is found guilty may be sent to prison.”
The Zambian Kwacha has continued to record positive performance as it appreciated by K0.085 or 1.34 percent against the United States dollar following improved dollar supply on interbank.
The local unit opened trading at K6.310 to K6.350 against one US dollar before closing at K6.225 to K6.265.
This is according to Cavmont Bank market report for Thursday which was obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka today.
The report stated that the local currency is likely to gain further if supply will continue to outweigh demand.
It further revealed that the Bank’s aggregate current account balance increased by K147.7 million to K804.65 million while the cost for interbank borrowing and lending rose by 0.12 percent to 23 percent.
The report further disclosed that funds that were traded on interbank were a total amount of K289.20 million.
PATRIOTIC Front Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba, addresses party cadres at Luangwa House in Chipata on Thursday. The meeting was aimed at ironing out wrangles that have rocked the party in Eastern Province.
Police in Eastern Province has maintained that it will not take action against any government minister who holds meetings in constituencies where there are pending by-elections because the Public Order Act does not oblige any government minister to notify the police whenever he or she wants to hold a meeting.
Responding to concerns by some political parties that the police had allowed PF Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba, who is also Justice Minister, to hold meetings in Petauke Central and Vubwi Constituencies where there are pending by elections while other political leaders were not permitted to do so, police deputy commissioner, Hudson Namachila, said the act does not restrict Government ministers to hold meetings in any place in the country.
Speaking to journalists in Chipata this morning, Mr Namachila noted that though Mr Kambimba was in the province to hold meetings with party members, police could not stop him from doing so because he is a serving minister who is not obliged to notify the police on his meetings unlike other political players.
He said those criticizing the police on the way that it implements the Public Order Act should take time to read it and understand its contents before criticizing the police on how it implements the Act.
And commenting on Mr Kabimba’s directive to the police to arrest PF cadres who engage in violence, Mr Namachila said the directive was made in line with the law and the police will take action on anyone involved in violence regardless of their political affiliation.
He stated that the police will ensure that anyone who comes into conflict with the law is brought to book.
Yesterday, PF Secretary General, Wynter Kambimba, directed police to arrest party cadres involved in violent activities.
Mr Kabimba made the directive when he addressed PF members at Luangwa Lodge in Chipata district.
Vice President Guy Scott has arrived in Bolivia, South America for a two day G77 + China Summit that starts on Saturday June 14.
Dr Scott who is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Gabriel Namulambe and his Special Private Secretary Robert Kamalata was welcomed by the president of the nations Chamber Eugenio Rojas.
Dr. Scott was accorded a guard of honour mounted by the defence personnel of the Bolivian army.
The Vice President was also given a key to the city of Santa Cruz by the officials from the local administration of the Department of Santa Cruz.
Bangladesh President was the first to arrive followed by Swaziland Prime Minister followed by the Vice President, Dr. Scott.
A total of 27 Presidents, three Vice Presidents and four Prime Ministers are expected to attend the G77 + China Summit that brings together 133 developing and emerging countries from Latin America, Africa and Asia and over 100 high-level delegates.
Bolivian President Evo Morales who toured Exhibition Fair Fexop Cruz, the venue for the summit in the company of his Information Minister Amanda Davila has declared his country ready to host the upcoming group of 77 developing countries plus China ( G77 + China ) that opens tomorrow.
The Summit will be held under the theme “For a New World Order For Living Well”.
Speaking shortly after a conducted final tour of the exhibition fair at Fexopo Cruz, President Morales said his country is ready to host the event.
President of the General Assembly of the UN, John W. Ashe and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon are among the expected speakers at the Summit.
The Group of 77 was established on June 15 1964 during a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development held in Geneva, Switzerland.
From the on-set, the conference that started with a group of 75 developing countries pledged to promote equality in the international economic and social order and promote the interests of the developing world.
The 2013, G77 + China Summit was held in Fiji, which is an island country in Melanesia in the South Pacific.
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has charged that it is disheartening to note that the Patriotic Front government has continued to ignore calls for increased dialogue among stakeholders in the governance of the country.
Speaking in an interview ZNWL chairperson Beauty Katebe noted that dialogue among political stakeholders such as opposition political parties and the civil society organizations is one of the most important and critical component of a democratic dispensation which should be promoted by all well meaning Zambians.
Ms. Katebe said it is essential that issues affecting the country no matter how grave are tabled so as to ensure that all stakeholders are part of the solution.
She noted that it is not a good practice for a democratic government to close up on dialogue and just issue statements which sometimes boarder on disrupting the peace that the country has enjoyed for so long.
“For us as women it is very, very disheartening to find that we have a government today which does not necessarily open up to dialogue. I think in a democratic dispensation. What we expect is that anything, any matter no matter how grave must be discussed and discussed openly so that whether stakeholders are satisfied or not we still say this issue was tabled and this is what came out.
I think its not a very good practice to have a democratic country close up on dialogue, a government that does not want to discuss issues but maybe issue statements I think which I would say are not conducive and boarder on breaking the peace that the country has enjoyed for so long,” Ms. Katebe said.
Ms. Katebe added that stakeholders are also getting discouraged to engage government in any meaningful dialogue because it has decided to use the police to silence anyone with opposing views.
She noted that the police are deliberately being used to selectively implement the public order act hence killing of any interest that some stakeholders might have to engage government in any developmental issues of the country.
Finnish ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen says the agriculture sector has potential to be come Zambia’s main export earner if properly harnessed.
Speaking in an interview the Finnish Envoy said Zambia has massive potential to earn foreign currency by exporting agriculture products to countries in the region if the country’s agriculture policies emphasized on growing not only produce for consumption but for the export market as well.
Mr. Anttinen said the country’s agriculture policies should be modeled in such a way that the country does not only produce for its consumption but take advantage of the massive export potential that is in the region.
“Zambia’s agriculture potential is huge, it is really immense to feed your own people but also to take advantage of the regional market particularly in DRC, Angola and Zimbabwe. I think its one of the Key issues that is needs to be considered for the general diversification of the economy.
But what is happening to the agriculture sector and agriculture policies now I think they could be more emphasis on strategic thinking, what Zambia wants from its agriculture sector obviously first is food security for the country but also I would say second should be an effective producer of goods for the region for export then you can earn lots of money from your agriculture sector,” said Mr. Anttinen.
He called on government to reconsider its position on the country’s preoccupation on growing maize.
The Envoy whose country is one of Zambia’s donor in the agriculture sector said government should not only concentrate on increasing maize production in its Farmer Input Support Program but increase production in other crops as well which will help the country earn more foreign currency.
