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FILE: Former Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba and his wife make their way through the muddy potholes at Woodlands police station
KASAMA Central Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has been
arrested for allegedly assaulting his operations manager at Arizona
Marketing, Collins Mundai.
Mr Mwamba is expected to appear in court tomorrow to face an assault charge.
Mr Mwamba commonly known as GBM was initially expected to report
himself at Lusaka’s Matero Police Station but due to security concerns
following unruly behaviour by suspected anti-GBM camp, the matter was
promptly transferred to Lusaka Central Police Station.
Mr Mwamba appeared at Central Police station around 11:00 hours and
was led for interrogations which lasted for an hour after which he was
formally arrested and released on Police bond with two working
sureties in the sum of K5, 000.
Mr Mwamba arrived at the Police station in a Toyota Corolla unlike in
his usual luxurious Range Rover.
The former defence minister who was accompanied by his legal team
comprising Sakwiba Sikota, Makebi Zulu and Martha Mushipe, confirmed
to waiting journalists that he had been arrested and released on bond.
“I have nothing to say now only that I was formally arrested for
assault. My time to speak will come but for now I want to reflect on
what has happened,” Mr Mwamba said.
Earlier riot Police at Matero Station apprehended three suspects for
unruly behaviour as a mob of suspected PF youths awaited the arrival
of the former Defence Minister.
The youths manhandled anyone suspected to be a GBM supporter but
Police action managed to keep them at bay after teargas was used to
restore order.
Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Taundi Chiseke joining the dance group in dancing when the people in mangango constituency welcomed him as the new Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister
The Patriotic Front in Mangango Constituency in Kaoma District in Western Province has called on former Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Robert Chiseke, to formally resign from the MMD following the nullification of his election as area Member of Parliament.
Mangango Constituency PF Chairman, Isaac Liwoyo, said Mr Chiseke is still popular in the area and urged him, together with his MMD followers, to officially resign from the former ruling party and join the PF with immediate effect.
Mr Liwoyo said it is important for individuals who want to contest the vacant Mangango seat to follow the party regulations and interact with all party officials and the general membership.
He said the PF leadership in Kaoma district is ready to receive Mr Chiseke after his formal defection as he is the only credible candidate at the moment that can scoop the Mangango seat under the PF ticket with a landslide margin.
Mr Liwoyo said all opposition members are welcome to join the ruling party and urged aspiring candidates not to by-pass the district PF office as they seek to become councillors or parliamentarians.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has urged people in the country to pray for President Michael Sata’s quick recovery and God’s guidance.
Mr. Hichilema says it is clear from President Sata’s alleged failure to fully officiate at this year’s Labour Day and African Freedom Day commemorations that he is apparently unwell the more reason why people in the country should pray for him.
Mr. Hichilema has told Qfm news in a telephone interview that his party has particularly urged people in the country to pray for the Head of State because it does not take pleasure in his falling sick.
He says the UPND does not also think that it is right for anyone to speak ill of President Sata when is believed to be unwell.
The UPND leader notes that he personally wants President Sata to recover from his alleged illness as it is important that all political leaders are in good health as they debate and compete on bring out the best policies that will improve people’s lives.
He says this is why people in the country should not rejoice over the President%u2019s falling ill.
But in a separate interview Chief Government spokesperson, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, Joseph Katema has dismissed as politicking suggestions that President Sata failed to officiate at this year’s Labour Day and African Freedom Day celebrations because he is unwell.
And Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili has also observed that there is nothing special about President Sata’s falling sick as sickness can befall in anyone.
Mr. Kambwili has told Qfm news that it is however unfortunate that some political parties have already started campaigning for presidency in view of the alleged falling sick of President Sata.
Mr. Kambwili has charged if there are some people who are anticipating that President Sata will die they should know that it will not happen not until he fulfills his mission.
He says this is why the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) will not appreciate mischievous prayers from people who have other thoughts in mind as regards President Sata’s wellbeing.
Road Development Agency (RDA) Director Bernard Chiwala (right), Pave Zambia Project Senior Manager Thomson Banda and President Michael Sata Economic Advisor Paul Siame inspects the equipment that has been procured ahead of the August 30 groundbreaking ceremony of Pave Zambia 2000 project at RDA Mumbwa road workshop
The Road Development Agency (RDA) says it has set aside K4.9 million for the 2014 Road Sector Annual Work Plan.
Out of the K4.9 million, an allocation of K1.2 million is from government, K2 million from external sources while K1.6 million is from the road fund levy.
And the agency says it has created a total of 18, 070 jobs from the 13, 790 projects the road it has implemented as of March 30.
RDA Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Chiwala, disclosed that under the Link Zambia 8000 Road Project, 18 out of the 26 bridges on the Mongu-Kalabo road have been completed while works on the Chiawa Bridge are expected to be completed by June 30 this year.
Mr Chiwala said in a presentation presented on his behalf by RDA Senior Manager Planning, William Mulusa, during a briefing in Lusaka today that the K242 million Leopards Hill-Katoba road project has also been completed.
He further stated that 23 km of the 115 km Chama-Matumbo Lot One road project and 41 km of the 91 Luangwa Bridge-Feira road has also being done.
And Mr Chiwala revealed that the approved budget for the Pave Zambia 2000 project for 2014 is K40 million, adding that government has since released K26 million of the funds.
He said installation of equipment in all the ten provinces is expected to be completed by June 30 this year.
He further stated that manufacturing of pavers has commenced in Lusaka and that works are expected to start by May 31.
The RDA Chief Executive Officer added that selected areas of commencement include Freedom Statue, Bauleni, Matero and Bishop Road.
Mr Chiwala stated that the implementation of the Pave 2000 road project will result in a reduction of road transportation costs, a 10 per cent drop in transport cost as well as 25 per cent increase in trade.
And in a related development, Mr Chiwala revealed that US $348 million is the approved budget for the implementation of the L400 road project for 2014 that will cover 408 km of road and whose works are expected to be done in 43 months.
He said some of the projects that have been completed under the L400 project include 8 km of Mumbwa road which was expanded to four lanes, 1.5 km of Mumbwa road, six km of roads in Chazanga including drainages, and 0.5 km of road including drainages in Chawama.
Meanwhile, Mr Chiwala disclosed that the agency managed to collect a total of K130 million as of April 30 from the National Tolling Programme which was launched on November 1, 2013.
He said the average monthly collection under the National Tolling Programme is K21.7 million.
Police in full riot gear on Tuesday blocked MMD leader Nevers Mumba from addressing party officials in Vubwi Eastern Province.
Vubwi police officer in Charge Superintendent Manda told Dr Mumba who was supposed to have an indoor meeting with district, constituency and ward officials that he was under instructions not to allow any meetings in the district due to the pending parliamentary by-election.
The police directed Dr. Mumba to immediately leave the Eastern Province as they are under strict orders not to allow him conduct any mobilization meetings in the province.
The police officers in three Land Cruisers later escorted Dr. Mumba to Chigwe area where Dr. Mumba had a brief chat with officials while they watched.
But Dr Mumba has insisted that no one will stop him from reorganizing the MMD.
And MMD President Dr Nevers Mumba has advised the police to stay away from the county’s politics and enforce the law without being partial.
He condemned the police for trailing him and his members as if they were criminals.
He warned that the party will not continue to stomach police intimidation and it will be forced to fight back if the police continue to work under such orders.
“I think the police should now start using their brains and intelligence instead of following orders blinding. I know that the police are protecting their jobs and the police themselves have confirmed they are protecting their jobs and that they know what they are doing is illegal and wrong so am not going to comply with anything that is unconstitutional. Just see how many police officers are here against a few of us but they can’t stop us now, it is too late,” Dr Mumba said.
Dr. Mumba added that the opposition was now getting tired of the behavior of the police and that they were running out patience.
“Us being followed and trailed by the police is regrettable. Firstly we are tired, our patience has run out and we don’t think we are going to stomach this anymore and have allowed them to do that and this government is not letting up,” he said.
He said he has to organise the party and no one will stop from doing so as Zambia is a democratic state and not a dictatorship.
Dr. Mumba has made it a policy to engage the police whenever he visits other districts for party business.
The MMD leader has since proceded to Chadiza where he has a meeting with district officials.
Police escorting Dr Mumba’s entourage out of Vubwi
President Michael Sata shakes hands with former Republican president Rupiah Banda at the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka
The PF Government has denied reports that President Sata was Sunday afternoon evacuated to South Africa after he collapsed at Statehouse.
President Sata is said to have collapsed after a hectic Africa Freedom Day schedule and was rushed to South Africa by Air ambulance hired from Zimbabwe after his condition worsened. First Lady Christine Kaseba is said to have managed to travel with President Sata after returning from her over seas trip.
President Sata was early Sunday morning at the Freedom Statue for the wreath laying ceremony. The sharp contrast in the Presidents appearance to what he looked a few weeks ago shocked many Zambians.
Immediately after leaving Freedom Statue the president was scheduled for the Investiture programme at State House. He was due to officially open the National Heroes Stadium thereafter but he did not show up . No official explanation was given for why the President did not show up for the much anticipated opening of the National Heroes Stadium on Sunday.
State House has however dismissed all the rumors that President Michael Sata collapsed and was evacuated to South Africa for medical attention.Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations George Chellah denied rumors circulating that President Sata has been flown to South Africa.
“All I can tell you is that your reports are not true. Just go and tell whoever has told you such rumors that it is not true. I have told you that it is not true so why are you asking me such questions? What confirmation do you need, go and ask your source further questions because what I have told you is that it is not true,” Mr Chellah said.
Information Minister and Chief Government Spokesman Joseph Katema expressed ignorance about the reports of the evacuation and asked to know the source of the information before he cut the line.
“Who told you that? As for me I don’t know anything. Go and ask the one who has told you,” Dr Katema said before he hung up.
When reached for confirmation, Defence Minister Edgar Lungu asked to be called back later.
With tear-bleared eyes I looked at the picture of the president. I know I am his critic, but I felt a touch of pity and choked, distraught at the sight of him. What heart could not bleed? I imagined tears welling from the faces of those who genuinely love him. How many? I thought. None—so it seems. Not his beloved. Not his vice. Not his confederates. If they were any, they would not have allowed it to happen. They would have done their best to stop him, even if it meant tying him to his bed.
President Michael Sata leaves the Lusaka High after attending a court case
Winter Kabimba- What kind of man is he?
I saw them, the pitiless PF, swarming a president so emaciated and frail, chanting their slogans in senseless ecstasy. My anger surged not at them, but at Wynter. What kind of man is he? Because picture evidence often conveys more than words can tell, I took another closer look at him. His demeanor externalized the cruel and heartless nature of him. He was undisturbed. His action bespoke no shame. He had no desire to conceal from us the mental state of the man we call our leader. He cared less for Sata and for the world around him. It did not matter to him whether he was dangling a wilted “cabbage” or not. I saw it in him; his foredoomed act; an act that mounted to false loyalty and the cunning want for power. I called it an inherent evil.
“How could he let this happen?”
The picture spoke a thousand words. It illustrated a lawyer’s grand-strategic misjudgment; one that should be displayed in the annals of constitutional law. It showed a Minister of Justice entirely comfortable with absurdity, idiocy, senselessness, and futility. It showed a Wynter, an advocate, a politician, a minister’s disregard for dignity. While I believe his motive will become known to us in future when he is prodded to greater depth, it can be unequivocally stated that Wynter is not the lawyer worth the vocation. I pray that the moral court finds Wynter Kabimba guilty, and de-robes and debars him for eternity.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Winter Kabimba and Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe on arrival at Luwingu where Mr. Kabimba first addressed a mammoth rally at President’s Park before officiating at the district conference. Looking on is Lupososhi Member of Parliament Lazarous Chungu
Mulenga Sata- should have stopped his father
My eyes shifted from Wynter to Mulenga—Sata’s golden son who is the mayor of Lusaka. Calm and calculating, all Mulenga craves is chivalry and propriety. It was him who should have stopped his father. There is always an implicit bondage between father and son, a downright relationship. Although he may not know if his father’s behavior is the outgrowth of a sick mind, he is at least cognizant of his irrational actions. All he should have said is: “Father please, you are above this. Leave it to Wynter. There are more pressing issues than you going to court. You’ll be making a fool of yourself. Besides, you are not well. You need all the rest you can get.”
Of course Mulenga did not. If he did he failed. It is possible his vain, sadistic, paranoid and vengeful father over rode him: “I’m tired of people defaming me, telling lies about me. I need to go and tell Sakala that he’s a liar. I’ll see to it that the court finds him guilty so he can pay a dear price that will serve as a warning to others.”
For years Mulenga has endured the cannon’s mouth and drunk from the fountain of parental authoritarianism. We all have. We treat our father as superman. We see no flaws or vulnerabilities in him. Ironically, the more vocal and insolent a father is, the more we idealize him. Mulenga sees absolutely nothing wrong with his father. He is as fit as a fiddle and as sharp as a knife. He despises those who call his father ailing dictator, lunatic, buffoon, or a spectacle. In actual fact he sees him as a political genius, dearly loved by countless souls.
Dipped in olive oil, and clad in a princely suit, I could see that the golden son, a man of average capacity, and unknown acumen, is trying very hard to become the second most-widely recognized person in Zambia. There has been speculation that his step-mother carries with her ambitions beyond her present chores. It is perhaps the reason why he sought the mayoral position, so he could become a part of his father’s inner circle and feel like the acolyte of the emperor—the real “de facto” president. It has dawned on him that we Zambians are laid-back, meek, submissive, modest, timid, easily swayed and ready to be led by any fraud, trickster, or blockhead.
My eyes moved. I stole another glance at the president’s wrinkled brow and felt sorry for him. I could see that he was ready to do battle. Yes, the president has intense and unstable emotions; he is hyper-sensitive. For three months I researched his life and discovered that he has an abnormal love for self, an exaggerated sense for control, and an obsession for power. Some stuff I read pointed to his rough childhood, that as a young man he was in the habit of deliberately harming and humiliating others, and often engaged in fist fights. His bullying habit was meant to scare others and be admired by his schoolmates. In the picture I saw that his brute and thuggery instinct had kicked in—the past had infiltrated the present.
President Michael Sata is accompanied by Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata (left) as he left the Lusaka High Court
PF Ministers
[pullquote]
Don’t believe online publications. There’s nothing wrong with him. The man is in top shape
[/pullquote]
I paused. I had looked enough. The whole picture made me feel angry with my relatives for voting for a person such as he—all of them, my nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends. I wrote to my PF diplomat friend: “Is this what you wanted?” He wrote back: “Don’t believe online publications. There’s nothing wrong with him. The man is in top shape.”
Yes, you better believe it, that’s precisely what Guy Scott would say. He would be echoed by Alexander Chikwanda, Edgar Lungu, Yamfwa Mukanga, Wylber Simuusa, Robert Sichinga, Fackson Shamenda, and other ministers. They are already saying that the president’s spectacle was in order. “If he feels defamed he has a right to take the culprits to court.” He is now preparing for the close examination, they are saying. They have chosen to ignore the clues of the president’s mental state contained in the court transcript of May 21, 2014. They can’t see that the president is not a well man. That he is becoming increasingly irritable, lethargic, and is pretty much mentally exhausted. They care less
First Lady Christine Kaseba- what is she thinking?
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba flanked by Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Encyla Sinjela (r) on arrival at Geneva Airport for the World Health Assembly on May 19,2014. Dr Kaseba will deliver her keynote speech on May 20,2014 on strengthening the role of health system in addressing Violence against women and Girls. Dr Kaseba is the Keynote Speaker together with Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Gates Foundation in Switzerland -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Wait a minute; it occurred to me that there was one person missing in the picture, the president’s wife. I wondered if she had seen the picture. She is a medical doctor. What was her reaction when she saw it? Did she shed a tear like me? Did she smile? What did she do? How about when she read the transcript? Did she commend her husband for a job well done? Did she castigate him for making a fool of himself? Did she worry her husband could be mentally ill? What was going on in her mind? Does she care? If she does, why did she not put her foot down?
Days have gone by we still do not know what the president’s wife was thinking. I have begun to think maybe she does not care what he does, what he says, and what people think. She has chosen to ignore the myriad theories out there about her husband’s health and conduct. Should we then think that that the president is seriously ill and his loss of weight is evident; that his heart problem is getting worse; that because of a history of heavy smoking his lungs are clogged; that he has some sort of cancer—prostate, lung; and that he has TB?
Should the president’s wife leave us to wild speculations like his illness affecting his thinking capacity; that the drugs are going to his head? If indeed her husband is unwell, she knows what is wrong because she has access to his medical files and knows all the medications he has been taking during the course of his reign. As a medical practitioner, she combines her role as a first lady and her professional responsibility as a doctor. As a doctor she holds full disclosure of the president’s condition, and yet she chooses to remain numb.
Allowing ourselves to be mislead
It is this silence that should worry every Zambian, PF or not. Let me be candid. If the purported court transcript doing its rounds on the Internet is anything to go by, the president displayed a clear sign of mental disorder that is dangerous, breathtaking and almost impossible to control. By blatantly committing perjury with regard his age, disregarding and deprecating court etiquette, and making unwarranted comments in the court of law, he was exhibiting his delusional fantasies of power. In a harebrained manner, he was exercising a sense of entitlement and was trying to show us “his people” how powerful he is.
After writing the above last sentence I feel infuriated. How can I be part of this circus? Indeed, how can we all be? How can we allow ourselves to be led by a person who has no remorse or is never embarrassed by his own actions; a person who accuses others of precisely what he himself does; a foul-mouthed deceptive bully?
Are there peaceful ways in which he can be stopped? Yes, there are. One of them is; Zambian psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical doctors should demand that all the clinics and hospitals that have treated Sata hand over his medical records. They too, must demand they examine him. Should he be found to be unfit, which is likely the case, he must be removed. Another is for parliament to impeach him. If president Sata remains our leader in the state he is, we are doomed.
President Michael Sata shakes hands with Roy Chileshe after honouring him with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom during the investiture ceremony at State House in Lusaka
MMD President Nevers Mumba has advised the Patriotic Front to allow President Michael Sata to rest.
Dr. Mumba says President Sata should from now on be excused from attending state functions until he fully recovers.
He said President Sata’s failure to officially open the Heroes stadium on Sunday and his conduct during the recent Labour Day celebrations are a source of concern.
[pullquote]We feel that the way that the PF Government led by Mr Wynter Kabimba’s crusade to continue to push the President beyond his physical capacity is unfair, it is unfortunate.[/pullquote]
“Firstly we as the MMD are deeply concerned on the recent developments arising from State House. On Labour Day, we issued a statement that the President’s one minute speech fell below the expectations of the Zambian people and I did indicate that the Zambian people expect a lot of the President,” Dr Mumba said.
He added, “We feel that the way that the PF Government led by Mr Wynter Kabimba’s crusade to continue to push the President beyond his physical capacity is unfair, it is unfortunate. Obviously we can see that the President is not doing well and our advice is that they should allow the President to rest and recover before exposing him to these strenuous programmes.”
Dr Mumba said the PF must come to face reality that if President Sata is not well, a decision must be made to put him on hold for him to recover.
President Michael Sata shakes hands with former Republican president Rupiah Banda at the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka
2.
President Michael Sata goes to lay a wreath at the freedom statue in Lusaka on Sunday
3.
President Michael Sata lays a wreath at the freedom statue in Lusaka.
4.
President Michael Sata kisses the hand of Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Julio Murat during the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka.
5.
President Michael Sata interacts with heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Zambia at the commemoration of the Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka
6.
President Michael Sata talks to Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba at the freedom statue in Lusaka
7.
Former first ladies Dr Maureen Mwanawasa (left) and Vera Tembo share a light moment at State House
8.
President Michael Sata with Defence minister Edgar Lungu at State House
9.
Former President Rupiah Banda talks to Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata at the freedom statue
10.
PFormer President Rupiah Banda (right) talks to Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata (left) as Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini and Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda look on at the freedom statue.
11.
President Michael Sata honours Justine Muwana with the President’s Medal for Gallantry at the investiture ceremony at State House
12.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Winter Kabimba and Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe on arrival at Luwingu where Mr. Kabimba addressed a mammoth rally at President’s Park before officiating at the district conference. Looking on is Lupososhi Member of Parliament Lazarous Chungu
13.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Winter Kabimba with MP Musonda Mpankata before addressing a mammoth rally at President’s Park in Luwingu district.Mr. Kabimba was in Luwingu to officiate at the district conference
14.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Winter Kabimba poses for a photo with Chief Chungu, Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe PF Chairman Peter Mwansa and Luwingu district offcials at the palace. Mr. Kabimba addressed a mammoth rally at President’s Park
15.
President Michael Sata shakes hands with Roy Chileshe after honouring him with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom during the investiture ceremony at State House in Lusaka
16.
President Michael Sata honours Frank Mulenga with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom during the investiture ceremony at State House in Lusaka
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President Michael Sata honours Veronica Mumba with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom during the investiture ceremony at State House in Lusaka
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President Michael Sata shakes hands with Doris Chimanyika after honouring her with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom during the investiture ceremony at State House in Lusaka
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Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini cut a cake on behalf of President Michael Sata during the commemoration of the Africa Freedom Day at State House
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President Michael Sata poses for a group photograph with those honoured during the investiture ceremony at State House in Lusaka on Sunday
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President Michael Sata talks to Veronica Tembo, who was honoured with the Grand Commander of the Companion Order of Freedom as he interacted with those honoured during an investiture ceremony at State House.
22.
Former first ladies Vera Tembo (left) and Dr Maureen Mwanawasa leave State House grounds after the investiture ceremony in Lusaka
File: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang holding Official talks with Zambian President Michael Sata government delegation at the Great hall of the people in Fujian Room in Beijing China on wednesday 10th April 2013- Picture By Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse.
A Senior Chinese educationist has called on African prospective students to utilize the various places in most Chinese universities.
Mr. Cen Jianjun, the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges in the Ministry of Education Director General, says prospective students from Africa should be apply directly to any Chinese universities most of which offer Chinese government scholarships.
ZANIS staffer Mubaina Simasiku reports from Beijing China that the Chinese senior educationist said this when he briefed African journalists who attended his briefing at his ministry’s boardroom in Beijing, yesterday.
Mr Cei also said potential African scholars should apply through local government institutions in China, which he said were most friendly to African students.
He said through the local government institutions, African students stand a chance of securing scholarships as this was the area which has a lot of educational facilities and places.
The Director General also noted that African students were fast learners of the Chinese language than European and American students.
Mr Cei also said Zambia is among many African countries that have benefited from the warm relations between China and Africa in the field of education and human resource development.
He outlined that since the introduction of China-Zambia education exchanges and the establishment of Sino-Zambia diplomatic relations, educational exchanges between the two countries has relatively increased over the years.
“Successive development and increasingly diversified contents covering the aspects of student exchange, human resource training and collaboration at university level are among other achievements scored for some time now,” said Mr Cei.
Mr Cei told the African scribes that last year, China had enrolled more than 35,000 African students and most of whom are on government scholarships.
On the part of Zambia, Mr Cei said China had last year (2013) alone enrolled 599 Zambian students on government sponsorship compared to only 10 students in 1978 on a similar arrangement while the total in 2013 goes beyond 1000 Zambian students in various institutions in China.
“By 2013, China has accepted altogether 599 Zambian students on scholarship, we accepted 10 such Zambian students in 1978. There were 1,020 Zambian students studying in China in the whole year of 2013,” he said.
He said the Chinese ministry of education has been entrusting the international education aid bases to organise short-term training programmes in human resources with varied themes and topics annually.
He added that during the period 2009 to 2013, 22 Zambian experts and scholars have been to China to participate in such programmes.
Mr Cei further disclosed that China has established 38 Confucius institutions in 32 countries in Africa and Zambia has benefited in this arrangement as the country has a Confucius institute at the University of Zambia.
He further said other than the establishment of Confucius institutions; China has also come up with a cooperation programme called China-Africa Universities 20 plus 20 Cooperation.
The China-Africa Universities 20 plus 20 Cooperation programme is the twinning of selected African universities with the Chinese to set up curriculum and promote educational exchange.
In this regard, China’s Southeast University has formed a cooperative partnership link with the University of Zambia and the two have since enhanced the cooperation especially in faculty exchange and joint research in the recent years.
FORMER Minister of Defence Geoffrey Mwamba is today scheduled to avail himself before law enforcement officers at Matero Police station to answer allegations of assault.
Mr Mwamba, who is Kasama member of Parliament (MP), is accused of assaulting one of his employees and is scheduled to appear at the police station at 11:30 hours.
Police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that police will be “waiting” for Mr Mwamba and his lawyers at the scheduled time.
Asked what course of action will be meted if Mr Mwamba, fondly known as GBM, does not show up, Mr Hamoonga said that will be determined at the right time.
“As police, we do not speculate. So we will only tell you the action we will take after that happens,” Mr Hamoonga said.
One of Mr Mwamba’s lawyers, Sakwiba Sikota also confirmed in a separate interview that his client will appear before police today.
On Saturday, police searched Mr Mwamba’s Kabulonga home after he allegedly failed to report to Matero Police Station.
Police conducted a thorough search at his residence in the presence of his lawyers Makebi Zulu and Mr Sikota but did not find him.
VETERAN politician Vernon Mwaanga has said African leaders who participate in elections must learn to accept results of polls even when they lose.
Mr Mwaanga, who served in various portfolios in the MMD government and is a former diplomat, said it is detrimental for politicians not to accept election results.
“African leaders who participate in elections must learn to accept the results of elections representing the will of the people,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said politicians should not regard elections as free and fair only when they win.
Mr Mwaanga said developments in Malawi, where incumbent President Joyce Banda has been attempting to annul elections and order recounts, are a discredit to Africa.
He said Ms Banda should take a leaf from Zambia, where first President Dr Kenneth Kaunda in 1991 accepted defeat and handed power peacefully to Frederick Chiluba and former President Rupiah Banda in 2011 conceded defeat and gracefully handed over power to President Sata.
Mr Mwaanga said procrastinating in accepting election outcomes is a recipe for chaos.
He urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders to consider helping Malawi resolve its election problems.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwaanga has commended South African President Jacob Zuma for appointing 15 women in his 35-member new cabinet.
He has also appointed 16 female deputy ministers for the 36 positions available. Mr Mwaanga said South Africans and political parties deserve praise for putting up and electing 43 percent women in the new parliament.
FILE: MMD vice president Dr Michael Kaingu delivers a speech
MMD vice-president Michael Kaingu has said President Sata will scoop the 2016 elections by a wide margin in most parts of Zambia.
Dr Kaingu says if elections were held today, the Patriotic Front (PF) would win because it is currently the most popular party.
“If we had to go for elections today, PF would win in Luapula, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Central, Copperbelt and would be second in Southern and Western provinces,” he said.
Dr Kaingu was speaking in Lusaka on Millennium Radio’s The Interview programme yesterday.
He said the MMD under Dr Nevers Mumba is headed for doom because its president cannot win elections even at ward level.
“Dr Mumba cannot win at ward level even in Chinsali, where he comes from, and this is the problem that we have,” Dr Kaingu said.
He said the MMD is dying and there are serious steps that are supposed to be taken to revive the party.
Dr Kaingu said the party should go for a convention at which it can be rebranded.
He said the MMD in its current form has nothing to offer to the people and that the former ruling party is not performing its role of providing checks and balances.
And Dr Mumba has said some senior party officials are likely to leave the former ruling party and not he because they are not ready to embrace the new vision of the rebranded MMD.
Dr Mumba says contrary to assertions by his two vice-presidents Brian Chituwo and Kaingu as well as MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya that he has failed to run the former ruling party, he has actually saved it from dying.
“By the time I took over MMD very few Zambians wanted to hear the name MMD. They just rejected it at the polls – it was in the doldrums.
“People did not want to hear certain names which you are mentioning (Brian Chituwo, Michael Kaingu and Dora Siliya) because they thought that they had enough of it,” Dr Mumba said.
Dr Mumba said on Sunday when he featured on a special programme on Kabwe’s KNC Radio that his job is to recreate the MMD so that it can realign its policies with the aspirations of Zambians.
Dr Mumba cited perceived arrogance, corruption, and the party being more responsive to foreigners than Zambians as some of the factors that led to its loss in the 2011 tripartite elections.
Dr Mumba said after he was elected MMD president, he led the party to undertake a “brutal assessment of itself” and measures to fight corruption and other factors that led to its loss are in place.
He said as part of rebranding, “new faces” are joining the party so that it can be run with a new approach.
Dr Mumba said wrangles in the MMD are mere ‘birth pains’ which will result in the new and strongest political party in Zambia.
“We need to know who is with us, to know who is able to play this role of the new MMD, to know who is failing to catch up with the new developments in the new MMD,” he said. “We want everybody to run with us but it is not possible that everyone will come with us.”
Retracing the history of MMD, he said after Dr Frederick Chiluba won the presidency in 1991, “giant members” such as Humphrey Mulemba, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, Baldwin Nkumbula, and Emmanuel Kasonde left the party but Dr Chiluba continued being president.
Dr Mumba also said when Dr Chiluba was handling over power to Levy Mwanawasa, 22 strong members among them Godfrey Miyanda and Christon Tembo left the MMD but Mr Mwanawasa became President and the MMD continued.
He further stated that during President Banda’s, reign, people like Sylvia Masebo, Ng’andu Magande, George Mpombo and Mike Mulongoti left but the MMD continued.
“Under my watch as president of MMD, I will not allow this party to die. I am getting ready to get the party back into government. That is my preoccupation and that is my goal,” Dr Mumba said.
Dr Mumba said that the PF will not win the 2016 elections because it has failed to deliver on its campaign promises.
Ex-Nkana coach and midfielder Beston Chambeshi has paid tribute to the late Nkana coach Masauso Mwale.
Chambeshi, who visited the funeral house in Ndeke, Ndola on Monday,said Mwale’s death was a big blow for the club at such a crucial moment after lifting the 2013 league title.
“I think we have lost a friend and a brother, he was a coach and he had a vision of Zambian football and he did great to the team Nkana Red Devils,” Beston said.
“The team staying for a long time without winning the league almost 12 years, you know Nkana is not a small team and losing a coach like that is painful for the nation.”
Meanwhile, Mwale will be put to rest on May 27 at Kansenshi Cemetery in Ndola.
Mwale died on May 23 in a car accident on the Ndola- Kitwe Dual-Carriageway en route to Kitwe from his Ndola home to join his players in camp on the eve of Nkana’s 2014 CAF Confederation Cup Group B match against Sewe Sport of Cote d’Ivoire.
Nkana and Sewe finished 1-1 in that match 24 hours later at Nkana Stadium in Lusaka.
Chipolopolo coach Patrice Beaumelle has urged the Zambia Under-20 to remain focused after advancing to the final qualifying round of the 2015 Africa Youth Championship on Sunday.
Zambia will now face their archrivals Malawi in the final round in August after eliminating Mozambique 4-0 on aggregate.
Malawi saw-off DR Congo 3-1 on aggregate after Friday’s away 2-0 win in Kinshasa in the return match.
Beaumelle said the Hector Chilombo coached side must work hard to negotiate past Malawi.
“You have just two games before you can get to Senegal and if you work hard and stay focused it can happen,” he told players after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Mozambique in the return leg in Lusaka.
The Junior Chipolopolo last qualified for the CAF Under-20 Youth Championship in 2007.
