Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Nkana striker Evans Kangwa has been declared fit for this Saturday’s 2014 CAF Confederation Cup Group B home match against Sewe Sport of Cote d’Ivoire.
Coach Masauso Mwale said Kangwa, who sat out Wednesday morning training at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe is available for selection.
The striker sustained an ankle injury in Cairo in Nkana’s first Group B match against host Al Ahly at the weekend.
“We had some few worries in-terms knocks but all the players are okay,” Mwale said.
“So far so good and we are set for tomorrow’s match,” he said.
Mwale added:”The players are ready for tomorrow’s game.”
UPND Deputy Secretary General, Kuchunga Simusamba announced that the campaign rallies which were suspended due to the rainy season will start with the one to be held in Mandevu Constituency at Mutambe grounds in Lusaka on 8th June 2014.
Mr. Simusamba revealed that police have already been notified of party’s intentions to hold rallies countrywide till the next rainy season.
“Yes we are embarking on campaign rallies and continued party mobilisation in all parts of the country before the commencement of another rain season. We want to interact with our old and new members.
We also want to tell Zambians what UPND will do when in office in 2016 as they have high expectations,” Mr. Simusamba disclosed.
He added that he does not expect professional law enforcement agencies in various parts of the country to give his party any problems regarding holding meetings.
“I know in the past there may have been some misunderstanding regarding the implementation of the archaic Public Order Act. But I think Police officers now know that according to the law, we just merely inform them and not seek for permission. I am sure they will come to protect all peace-loving Zambians that we are sure will come in large numbers for our meetings,” he said.
[pullquote]We know someone correctly called his MPs useless, ministers useless and vupuba (fools) and we hear now he wants to extent the same by calling our men and women in uniform as shabby looking.[/pullquote]
“We know someone correctly called his MPs useless, ministers useless and vupuba (fools) and we hear now he wants to extent the same by calling our men and women in uniform as shabby looking. We don’t agree with that. For us we are dealing with smart, beautiful and handsome men and women in uniform and so we don’t expect trouble from them. In fact, we look forward to making them even more smarter after 2016,” Simusamba said.
Mr. Simusamba said holding of peaceful meetings was not only a democratic right, but also constitutionally guarantee.
He added that UPND was a very peaceful party that respects the country’s laws and that he does not expect disturbances from anyone during the meetings.
“We have had peaceful and very successful meetings in the past, and we now invite all well-meaning Zambians that want to hear our message for the country to turn-up in numbers,” he said.
He also requested for contributions from any well-meaning Zambians towards the successful mobilisation and holding of these meetings.
Alliance for Better Zambia president Father Frank Bwalya distributes red cards against the government’s refusal to release the Zambian draft constitution
Alliance for better zambia leader Father Frank Bwalya says it is a scandal for president Michael Sata who is the commander in-chief of the armed forces to miss the burial of ZAF deputy commander general Muliokela Muliokela.
Father Bwalya says Zambians should condemn the leadership of Mr. Sata to shun the funeral a day after going to court in a matter where he has personal interest.
” And what kind of leader is Mr sata who goes to court for personal interest and fails to attend the funeral of a deputy commander. We could have excused him if he was sick and had gone to the hospital or had gone outside the country or maybe he had an engagement which could not be cancelled” wondered Fr. Bwalya.
Fr. Bwalya further observed that what the president did by missing the funeral is a mark of bad leadership.
And prominent Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota on his facebook posting wondered why the General Muliokela was not accorded a national mourning when a District Commissioner in the Copperbelt Province was accorded one just a few months ago.
“What is surprising is that Major-General Muliokela was the Deputy Air Commander and yet his Commander in Chief (President Sata) did not find it fitting to declare National Mourning for this very high ranking commander who died in the course of duty.
If a person in charge of a district of Zambia can have national mourning declared for them and two young missionaries can have the same, surely a person who looked after our entire airspace Defence was worthy of consideration along with his fallen colleagues to having National Mourning declared.
Since their Commander in Chief, President Sata, was fit enough to attend to his personal civil court case yesterday, the least he could have done as Commander in Chief was to have attended their funerals or at least shown up at the funeral houses.”
And Constitutional Lawyer Ludwig Sondashi has charged that President Michael Sata conducted himself in a manner not befitting a Head of State when he appeared in Court in person to testify in matter he has sued the Daily Nation newspaper for defamation.
[pullquote]If the President feels aggrieved, he should allow the State to deal with such a matter as it is already in the Republican constitution that any malicious statement against the Head of State is criminal and the State itself is to prosecute anyone speaking maliciously against the head of State-Dr Sondashi[/pullquote]
Dr. Sondashi noted that the Head of State is protected from prosecution by the constitution and therefore should not be at ease to sue people at will.
Dr. Sondashi, who is also Forum for Democratic Alternatives (FDA) president told Qfm news that a Head of State should be thick skinned to people’s criticism aimed at provoking him.
He said that if the President feels aggrieved, he should allow the State to deal with such a matter as it is already in the Republican constitution that any malicious statement against the Head of State is criminal and the State itself is to prosecute anyone speaking maliciously against the head of State.
And Dr. Sondashi has observed that the fact that President Sata decided to testify in person in court is unprecedented.
He said that he is of the view that the President should not have gone to court to testify in person when he has immunity from prosecution.
The Zambian Kwacha yesterday traded at a record K6.700 per one United States dollar following increased dollar demand on interbank, while the supply side remained inadequate.
The local unit opened trading at K6.700 to K6.740 and closed at K6.735 to K6.775 per one US dollar.
This is according to Cavmont Bank Market Report for Thursday and obtained in Lusaka today.
The Bank stated that in the absence of improved supply, the local unit is likely to continue trading within the current levels, with bias towards the downside.
And the bank’s aggregate current account balance decreased by K195.35 million to K618.48 million while the cost for interbank borrowing and lending rose by 0.17 percent to 17.50 percent.
The bank further stated that funds traded on interbank were K427 million.
The Football Association of Zambia Disciplinary Committee has awarded three points to Choma Green Eagles following their abandoned Super League Week Four against Kabwe Warriors.
Kitwe referee Gladys Lengwe was on 12th April forced to abandon the match in the 63rd minute when Eagles were leading 2-0 after home fans rioted at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
The FAZ Disciplinary Committee that sat over the weekend awarded Eagles three points and a 2-0 victory.
The committee has since fined Warriors Five Thousand Kwacha over the said crowd trouble at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
And FAZ Disciplinary Committee has handed a life ban to Kasama Malalo Police footballer Enoch Moyo for assaulting a referee.
Moyo is said to have manhandled a referee thereby forcing the abandonment of the FAZ Division Two North between Kasama Malalo Police and Tazara Blue Stars on April 26, 2014.
In another verdict, Lusaka Dynamos have been awarded three points over their unfulfilled FAZ Division One South fixture against Kafue Celtics on April 27 at Khosa Stadium.
Kafue Celtics have further been charged K1, 500 for failing to fulfill this fixture.
And in a similar case of unfulfilled fixtures, Lusaka Tigers have been awarded three points with a 2-0 score line after Mazabuka United failed to fulfill a FAZ Division One South Week Six match.
This is contained in a media statement issued to Radio Icengelo Sports today by FAZ Spokesperson Nkweto Tembwe.
TABLE
Motorists queue up for fuel at Engen service station in Kasama
Motorists lined up as early as 04:00 hours of yesterday to buy fuel for their vehicles as the shortage for the essential commodity has hit Kasama district.
ZANIS reports that long queues of motorists where found at the few filing stations that had fuel.
At ODRO and OMACK filling stations motorists where found waiting patiently for their turn each to buy the commodity. It was the same at Engin Filling Station.
Most motorists said interviewed with ZANIS that the fuel shortage in the township to lack of adequate storage facilities in the district.
They however have appealed to relevant authorities to consider opening up fuel storage facilities which were used by the former British Petroleum (BP) Company near Musenga township.
And efforts to get a comment from either the Provincial Permanent Secretary Hlobota Nkunika nor the District Commissioner Kalanga Bwalya proved futile by press time.
TWO health inspectors and a revenue collector working for the Livingstone City Council have been attacked and brutally beaten up by Shebeen traders in the tourist capital as they were carrying out routine operations at Chandamali Market.
The three had earlier on closed some Shebeens at Chandamali Market and they were attacked on Wednesday afternoon when they went back to the same market to collect the beer products to use them as exhibits in the courts of law.
Both Livingstone City Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti and Council Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Sikanyika confirmed the development in separate interviews yesterday.
Ms Chikoti said it was unfortunate that the traders had taken the law into their own hands by attacking officers who were carrying out their duty to promote sanity in the tourist capital..
She said it was illegal and against the laws of the country for any person to sell beer within market places.
And Mr Sikanyika, who declined to name the three council employees, said the trio were severely beaten by Shebeen traders when they went to collect the beer products to be used as exhibits in the courts of law.
“As you may be aware, the Markets and Bus Act does not allow the sale of beer within markets and bus stations.
The three had earlier on locked the same Shebeens for engaging in illegal sale of beer in a market place. When they went to open the shops to get the products, a team of traders descended on them and beat them severely,” he said.
Mr Sikanyika said one council employ was beaten almost to death and he was only resuscitated at Livingstone General Hospital where he was discharged yesterday.
“The council will not relent to promote sanity in the city regardless of the attack on our health inspectors.
We also urge members of the public to work closely with us because Livingstone is a tourist capital and it attracts several tourists who deserve better services,” he said.
Mr Sikanyika said the local authority reported the matter to the police after which three suspects were arrested the same day.
By press time, Southern Province Commissioner of Police Mary Chikanda could not be reached for a comment as her cell phone was constantly off.
CHOMA District HIV/AIDS Taskforce (DATF) has urged Government and other stakeholders to help put more interventions of preventing teenage pregnancies and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) particularly among youths in Southern Province.
DATF chairperson Partner Siabutuba said there was need for effective intervention by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to effectively support Government in nurturing moral standards among youths.
Mr Siabutuba’s comments follow revelations by Choma District Commissioner (DC) Bernadette Hamweemba that in the first quarter of this year, Choma had recorded the highest number of syphilis and gonorrhea cases in the province.
Ms Hamweemba revealed at the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting in Mazabuka last week that statistics from the ministry of health had indicated that Choma had the highest number of people treated for the two STIs syphilis and gonorrhea.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Siabutuba appealed to Government to effectively put more policies to prevent further transmission of STI’s and unwanted pregnancies particularly among youths.
“Our worry is that those infected with STI’s may contribute to increasing the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Choma due to social behaviour following its newly acquired provincial administration status,” he said.
Mr Siabutuba said the revelations on syphilis and gonorrhea cases showed that majority of people were having unprotected casual sex due to recent shortage of condoms in the district.
He called on the Government and other stakeholders to intensify sex education and behavioral change messages among the youths.
Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education John Phiri has prodded teachers to complete their syllabi on schedule to avoid the phenomenon of extra lessons.
“We want all teachers to start finishing the syllabus because what has been happening is that teachers have not been completing the syllabus and they have been opting for tuition fees.
“This should come to an end now because this is disadvantaging pupils from poor families,” Dr Phiri said.
He said no school shall be allowed to hold tuitions on holidays or during weekends unless such tuitions will be paid for by the school and will involve all the pupils.
The minister said this when he addressed teachers from all schools in Lusaka Province yesterday.
Dr Phiri said that Government will encourage internally-arranged tuitions, which will not attract any cost to pupils.
He also warned that no school – government, private or missionary – will host learners from other schools to provide extra tuitions unless that particular school organises its own pupils using its money.
“And any teacher who will be found or seen charging for extra lessons will be disciplined accordingly,” the minister said.
Teachers are currently banned from conducting extra lessons.
Dr Phiri also announced that with immediate effect, all class teachers from grades 8 to 12 shall avail subject syllabi to all the pupils at the beginning of each term.
He said subject teachers should write the syllabus on the board for the pupils to copy or give them handouts of the syllabus if resources are available so that the pupils can know what they are supposed to cover in that particular term.
Dr Phiri directed head teachers countrywide to ensure the directive is implemented.
He also called on pupils in all schools to ensure they report to the school administration through their class monitors or prefects any teacher failing to complete the syllabus on time.
And Dr Phiri has urged teachers to take a leading role in reducing the rate of pregnancies among pupils by inculcating good values and morals in them.
He said Government is disappointed by the increasing levels of pregnancies among pupils, adding that this is coming mainly due to them lacking knowledge on how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies.
Dr Phiri said the increase in the number of pregnancies among pupils is impacting negatively on Government’s efforts of attaining the millennium development goal (MDG) three, which calls for gender equality by eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2015.
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
Education Minister John Phiri says the high number of school girls falling pregnant shows that the devil is at play in the education sector.
Mr Phiri said he is shocked that School Headmasters are proudly releasing figures of pregnancies each time without any shame. He said School Headmasters must take it upon themselves.
And the Secondary School Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) has condemned teachers in the habit of having sexual relations with pupils.
SESTUZ Deputy Secretary General Emmanuel Zulu has told Qfm in an interview that teachers are supposed to be role models to children.
Mr Zulu says it is worrying teachers are the ones involved in sexual relationships with pupils who they are expected to protect.
Mr. Zulu says apart from disturbing the girl’s progress in school, sexual relationships between teachers and pupils also eludes the confidence that children have in teachers and the children begin to lose respect for their teachers.
He states that teachers should be more responsible in instilling discipline and good morals in their pupils by playing the role of parents instead of abusing them.
Mr. Zulu states that SESTUZ strongly condemns the acts of sexual abuse on pupils by teachers and that necessary punishment under the law should be meted out on the culprits.
He has further appealed to the teachers to conduct themselves in a respectful manner and desist from such habits so as to protect the teaching profession.
Vice President Guy Scott (right) and his wife Charlotte (left)
Vice President, Guy Scott, is today expected in South Africa ahead of the inauguration ceremony of South Africa’s President-elect, Jacob Zuma.
Dr Scott will land at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg by a commercial flight at 09:00hrs.
ZANIS staffer Emmanuel Banda reports from Pretoria that this is according to a tentative program released in Pretoria today by the office of the Zambian High Commissioner to South Africa.
The program further says Dr Scott, who will be accompanied by his wife, Charlotte, will travel by road to Pretoria on Saturday morning for the inauguration of Mr Zuma at the Union Buildings.
Former Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, is among several other heads of states and government invited to attend the event.
The South African government has also invited the entire African Union to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Harry Kalaba, is also expected to arrive in the country today from Angola where he went for other official duties to join hundreds of other foreign ministers to attend the ceremony.
Hundreds of guests, including journalists, have continued queuing at Pretoria City Hall for accreditation.
Meanwhile, the new South African National Assembly in Cape Town yesterday elected African National Congress President, Jacob Zuma, as the President of the Republic of South Africa according to the constitution.
According to local media reports, Mr Zuma was elected unopposed although the Democratic Alliance (DA) opposed the nomination of Mr Zuma.
DA federal executive chairperson, James Selfe, objected Mr Zuma’s nomination, saying the nomination was irrational as Mr Zuma’s conduct during his previous tenure conflicted especially with Section 96 of the Constitution.
‘’In particular he has not acted on recommendations of at least two of the public protector and he appointed a national director of public prosecutions who was manifestly unsuitable and his appointment was set aside by the constitutional court—-,’ he alleged on a point of procedure.
However, Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng, wondered whether Selfe’s allegation was related to any point of procedure before dismissing the point raised by the opposer, jokingly saying it was without costs.
By press time Judge Mogoen was in a process of swearing members of the National Council of Provinces. Yesterday, Provincial Premiers were also sworn in.
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito says his business relationship with Post Newspapers’ editor Fred M’membe cannot have a bearing on court issues and how he prosecutes former President Rupiah Banda.
Mr Nchito says he cannot recuse himself from prosecuting Banda and that the matter should not be sent to the High Court based on grounds that he will be biased against Banda as he is a business partner with Mr M’membe.
This is in a case in which Banda is charged with two counts of corrupt activities and concealing gratification of motor vehicles contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Mr Nchito said this on Wednesday in reply to Banda’s lawyers who wanted him to recuse himself and the matter to be sent to the High Court for determination of constitutional issues.
The matter is before principal resident magistrate Obbister Musukwa.
“It is understandable for the accused to feel angry, disappointed and emotional.
“The defence has filed various documents in this court, which are not even before this honourable court.
“My colleagues are now arguing that I will be biased because of my friendship with Mr M’membe, with due respect what influence does he have to determine the outcome of the court?” Mr Nchito said.
Defence lawyers led by Patrick Mvunga said Mr Nchito should stop handling this matter because Banda feels intimidated due to the existing business relationship between Mr Nchito and Mr M’membe who has allegedly labelled him guilty through editorial comments.
But Mr Nchito said there is nothing wrong for him to take an interest in a matter of importance and public interest, adding that it is his constitutional right to prosecute cases of public interest.
He said his business with Mr M’membe cannot affect his judgment and focus because the matter is an important case involving a former head of state and that the court is ready to provide guidance.
In reply, another defence lawyer Makebi Zulu said the application to transfer the matter to the High Court is neither vexatious nor frivolous but a serious constitutional issue.
The matter comes up May 30 for ruling.
Meanwhile, chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda has allowed the submission as part of the State’s evidence 12 photocopied documents in the matter in which Banda is charged with one count of abuse of authority of office relating to an oil deal valued at US$2.5 million.
Mr Banda said the documents Banda is disputing are relevant to the case and cannot be said to be foreign as the witness made efforts to locate the original documents.
The matter comes today for continued hearing.
Nkana coach Masauso Mwale says he is excited with the return of striker Festus Mbewe back to the club.
Mbewe came back at Nkana this week after the expiry of six-month loan spell at demoted South Africa Premier Soccer League club Golden Arrows.
Mwale said Mbewe, who was inspirational as Nkana won the 2013 FAZ Super League title will add value to the team.
The robust striker scored 13 goals for Nkana last season.
“It is good to have Festus back. We are so excited that he is back he will add very good depth to our team, he is influential and it is good for Nkana,” he said.
Mwale said he would asses Mbewe to see if he can be fit for Saturday’s 2014 CAF Confederation Cup Group B match against Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast in Kitwe.
“We have to assess his fitness levels because he has not been playing from the time they wound-up the season there.” he added.
Chipolopolo coach Patrice Beaumelle on Thursday morning joined the Zambia Under-20 bench in drilling the youth team ahead of Sunday’s
2015 Senegal CAF Youth Championship qualifier against Mozambique in Lusaka.
The Junior Chipolopolo team is 2-0 up from the first leg of the second round match played in Maputo almost two weeks ago.
Beaumelle said it is vital that Zambia qualifies for next year’s CAF Under-20 Youth Championship.
“I came here because we wanted to do a tactical session to also let them know my philosophy. So that if I call one boy from U-20 or 17
they will already know my philosophy,” he said.
Beaumelle added:”The most important is not to win but to qualify to the next round because the team needs to check itself against other
teams to see if they are improving or doing the right.”
And under-20 coach Hector Chilombo declared his team ready for Sunday’s match.
“We are ready for Sunday’s game. The boys have been working very hard. We were doing a tactical session, definitely we have to win,” Chilombo
said.
Zambia’s external debt as at end of April, 2014, stood at US $4.2 Billion or 22% of GDP whilst domestic debt stood at K20 Billion or approximately 16.4 % of GDP.
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba in an update on public debt status says both external and domestic debt levels remain below the international thresholds of 40% and 25%, respectively.
Mr Yamba said that for the period from January, 2014, total external debt service, principal plus interest payments now stands at US$52.2 Million of which US$2.6 Million is a payment made in April, 2014.
Mr Yamba said that according to current projections, the total external debt falling due over the next 12 months stands at US$ 249 Million or 1.3% of GDP.
He said that Government has continued to observe international standards of debt management; consistent with the commitment to maintain strong credit worthiness and safeguard macroeconomic stability.
Below is the full update
UPDATE ON PUBLIC DEBT STATUS AS AT 30 APRIL, 2014
Lusaka, 22nd May, 2014. Government has continued to observe international standards of debt management; consistent with the commitment to maintain our strong credit worthiness and safeguard macroeconomic stability.
As at end of April, 2014, external debt stood at US $4.2 Billion or 22 % of GDP whilst domestic debt stood at K20 Billion or approximately 16.4 % of GDP. In this regard, both external and domestic debt levels remain below the international thresholds of 40% and 25%, respectively.
For the period from January, 2014, total external debt service (principal plus interest payments) now stands at USD 52.2 Million of which USD 2.6 Million is a payment made in April, 2014. According to our current projections, the total external debt falling due over the next 12 months stands at USD 249 Million or 1.3% of GDP.
The current composition of the total external debt is as follows;
Chart 1 – External Debt Composition by Creditor Type
Chart 2 – External Debt Stock by Currency Composition
Legend:
USD – United States Dollars
EUR – Euro
CNY – Chinese Yen
SDR – Special Drawing Rights
And for the period from January, 2014, total domestic debt service related to Government securities (principal plus interest payments) now stands at K3.2 Billion of which K544.6 Million is a payment made in April, 2014. In the same month, Government issued K458 Million Treasury Bills in the domestic market. According to our current projections, the total domestic debt falling due over the next 12 months stands at K9.8 Billion or 8% of GDP.
Although the economy is steadily gliding out of turbulence, the Treasury is gravely concerned with reports of financial mis-representation in the private sector and the mining industry in particular. Apart from specific actions which will be taken to correct erring players, we are confident that once the programme on monitoring the mineral value chain is fully functional, coupled with our commitments under the Extractive Industry Transparent Initiative [EITI], holes in the system will be plugged and the people of Zambia will begin to get the full value of their interest in natural resources.
The Treasury appeals to all citizens to be vigilant and to ensure that while allowing an enabling environment for lawful business and entrepreneurship to thrive, cases of financial fraud should promptly be reported to relevant authorities. In this respect, organisations such as the Zambia Institute of Certified Accountants and the Zambia Institute of Internal Auditors are expected to take leading roles in fostering private sector transparency and financial accountability.
//SIGNED//
Fredson Yamba
Secretary to the Treasury MINISTRY OF FINANCE
