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US-based golfer Madalitso Muthiya is confident of winning the Mopani Copper Mines sponsored 2014 Zambia Open Golf Championship being staged at Nkana Golf Club in Kitwe.
Zambia’s Muthiya, 31, is among 144 golfers competing in the main event that tees off on Thursday morning.
The joint runner-up at the 2005 Zambia Open said he is ready for the
championship.
“My expectations are always the same, obviously I expect to play well and come out top in terms of winning the tournament,” Muthiya said.
He added:”That is what I have been preparing for whole year long and I look forward to that.”
Muthiya hailed the $250,000 prize money and the refurbishing of Nkana Golf Club.
”It is a good thing (prize money) and I am very impressed with the new look Nkana Golf Club. This tournament is good for tourism and marketing.”
Muthiya appealed to fans to rally local golfers taking part in the Zambia Open.
“Come out and support your local golfers.”
The Zambia Open Golf Tournament teed off in Kitwe on Tuesday morning with the curtain-raiser Pro-Am competition scooped by South African golfer CJ Du Plessis when he fired seven-under-par 66 to win the Airtel/Samsung event.
Defending champion Adilson Jose Da Silva is seeking an unprecedented third Zambia Open title.
ActionAid Zambia is dismayed by a leaked video showing Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal mocking Zambia over the privatization of Konkola Copper Mines.
A You tube video has surfaced showing Mr Agarwal speaking at an event in India in March 2014 where he ridiculed the Zambian government for selling KCM at a cheap price of 25 million US dollars.
In the video, the Vedanta founder goes on to reveal that KCM is giving him 500 million US dollars per year plus and extra 1 billion US dollars.
Action Aid Zambia Head of Economic Justice Programme Patrick Nshindano said the video is disheartening and shocking.
“It is disheartening that the KCM boss could talk about buying a national asset for a song with such impunity, Mr Nshindano said.
He added, “For us at ActionAid, this video confirms what we have always said about the privatization of some of these assets. This goes to mean that there was something fishy about the whole process.”
Mr Nshindano said corrective measures must be put in place to remedy the situation.
“This should compel Government to relook at these privatization deals and see whether the country is benefitting from its mineral wealth,” he said.
He also revealed that the civil society is strategizing on how to add pressure on Vedanta and the Zambian Government to review the existing mining agreement.
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE OPPOSITION ALLIANCE IN ZAMBIA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014 HELD AT THE MMD SECRETARIAT IN LUSAKA
INTRODUCTION
Zambians are suffering because the Patriotic Front has refused to honour many of their election promises. Hence our people find themselves in a situation similar to the wilderness experience of the Hebrews when they left the house of bondage in Egypt as recorded in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Our people are going through a period of distress and torment. As such, they are looking for hope, for good news.
THE OPPOSITION ALLIANCE, A SOURCE OF HOPE
Today the Opposition Alliance brings hope and the kind of good news that Zambians are looking for.
We are about to announce the fruits of the hard work that we have been doing to create a formidable opposition alliance that would provide effective checks and balances to the PF government as well as offer a credible leadership alternative come 2016 and beyond. We are also going to announce the new partner in the Opposition Alliance.
These announcements represent a monumental development in the life of the Opposition Alliance and provide an insight on the bright future ahead of our alliance.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
When the birth of the Opposition Alliance was announced on January 24, 2014 we made it clear that we were going to set up a Technical Committee that would be responsible for preparing documents such as a common manifesto, a modality for electing the presidential candidate for 2016 and other documents. The Technical Committee was also going to serve as a think tank.
Therefore, it is my rare honour and privilege to announce on behalf of the partners in the Opposition Alliance that the Technical Committee will comprise the Secretary Generals of the partners in the alliance and a few carefully selected members from a cross-section of society. The terms of reference are already in place.
NEW MEMBER/PARTNER
It is now my rare joy to make a formal announcement that the Opposition Alliance has grown with the coming on board of All People’s Congress (APC) party whose president is Mr Nason Msoni.
It is not for me to say why APC has decided to join the alliance. They will speak for themselves. I am happy to announce that more partners are coming.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, let me reiterate the position of the alliance on admitting new members. The alliance is open to serious minded opposition political parties. Against this background, let me make it clear that those who will join the alliance later will not be considered as second class members but equal partners.
Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga has denied media reports linking him to the forthcoming Malawian general elections.
Opposition Malawi Congress Party secretary general Gustav Kaliwo is reported to have singled out Mr Mwaanga and Major Richard Kachingwe and others as some of the foreigners interfering in Malawi’s internal politics.
Reports in Malawi indicate that Mr. Mwaanga, together with Major Kachingwe have been hired by Malawi President Joyce Banda as political consultants ahead of the elections scheduled for May 20.
In an interview, Mr Mwaanga described the reports as malicious and aimed at tarnishing his image.
“I have nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the Malawi election. All those reports are a stretch of somebody’s imagination,” Mr. Mwaanga said.
He said Malawian have a right to choose for their leaders in a democratic manner without any interference.
Mr Mwaanga revealed that the last time he travelled to Malawi in 2010 at the official opening of the new Parliament building of Malawi.
He however admitted having provided consultancy to the late President Bingu Wa Mutharika and his then running mate Joyce Banda in the 2009 elections.
Today’s Post Edition headline quoting beleaguered Kabwata MP given Lubinda cannot go without comment. If the MP was correctly quoted then we wonder what exactly he is intending to achieve by deceiving himself that he is still a factor in today’s political dispensation in Zambia.
To start with Given Lubinda has a lot of battles to fight within his own political party which has dumped him after using him. He needs to rediscover his political identity because he is currently a lost soul. If he wants to see reality he just needs to check the numbers in the register in his constituency and he will know that that come 2016, he is gone.
[pullquote]We advise Given Lubinda to direct his efforts to convince us that his 10 years in parliament has produced the much needed development to alleviate the unprecedented suffering his PF has subjected the people of Kabwata through the skyrocketing mealie meal and fuel prices.[/pullquote]
We know Given is trying to justify his existence in the party which dumped him due to his treacherous behavior. He cannot be trusted and even his statements should be not be taken seriously by any reasonable person. How does he think anyone will take him serious when his own party rejected him? He should realize that Kabwata has one of the most educated populations in the country and that people cannot be deceived by his acrobatic antics meant to facelift his dwindling political fortunes. If indeed he is blind to the fact that the ground is no longer holding for the PF in Lusaka, let him try to pave way for a by election in his constituency so that he can feel the heat from the non-existent opposition.
It is surprising that the once vibrant MP has reduced himself to be used as a mopping cloth in the PF, but this does not surprise us because existence in his party for under weights like him is through patronage and bootlicking. We still remember how recently everybody in his PF party was calling for his blood due to his two-faced behavior. Not long ago he was used to oppose the ‘constitution motion’ in parliament against the wishes of his employers, the voters of Kabwata. He thought this was going to get him noticed by the real PF owners but alas that was another futile exercise. He must be aware by now that his ambitions to take over the leadership of PF are unachievable so he better find other things to do.
We advise Given Lubinda to direct his efforts to convince us that his 10 years in parliament has produced the much needed development to alleviate the unprecedented suffering his PF has subjected the people of Kabwata through the skyrocketing mealie meal and fuel prices. He should be able to point out what projects he has pioneered as an MP to justify his continued stay in the house than wasting his time attacking the opposition. As UPND we are on the ground to make sure that useless PF MP’s like Mr Lubinda are retired in the next 1 and half years.
THE Zambia One Comedy, formed a decade ago by leading local comedians, will soon embark on shows across the country to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
Zambia One director Dereck Chalo Kondowe (Dangerous Joburg) told the Weekend Mail in Lusaka that the first shows are on this Wednesday and Thursday at Chingola Arts Society (CAS) to be followed by a Ndola outing on June 6 and 7 at the Lowenthal Theatre.
Thereafter, the group will have two shows at the Lusaka Playhouse on June 17 and 18, to be followed by another two at Kitwe Little Theatre.
After those shows, the group will be looking to stage two or three shows in a rural area but they are yet to identify the place.
The Zambia One Comedy first had its show on October 16, 2004 at the Lusaka Playhouse, where it attracted an overcrowded audience. However, it was officially launched in Kitwe by then Minister of Youth and Sport George Chulumanda, a few weeks later.
Then, it boasted of the likes of Augustine Lungu, Pontiano Kaiche, Dangerous Joburg, Bob Nkosha, Ozzias Banda, Joemwa Mwale and Brighton Sinkala in its ranks.
It also incorporated one or two other comedians just to spice-up the show.
However, currently, the line-up has Dangerous Joburg, Lee Chanda Nonde (Ba Robby), Anita Munamonga, Mayuka Mumpangwe and Anne Katamanda.
On the way, it has lost Augustine Lungu and Joemwa Mwale, Agness Mulimbika and Kapotwe (Godfrey Mwape), who were incorporated much later.
Bob Nkosha has gone on to form Kings of Comedy while Pontiano Kaiche has concentrated on his folk music.
Dangerous Joburg says in its 10th year, it will be looking at awarding its former members posthumously as well as recognising individuals who have made a contribution to its success.
From the time the group was formed, Dangerous Joburg estimates that they have put up more than 160 productions, and during these current shows, they will be allowing the audience to choose the acts they want.
However, new productions will also be on offer.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi says revelations made by Vedanta Chairman
that Konkola Copper Mines has been making a minimum profit of $500 million per year is clear indication that all economic managers in the country are sleeping.
Ms Nawakwi told Qfm News that it is unfortunate that the country is losing huge amounts of money in taxes as a result of the insincerity of some international companies operating in Zambia.
Ms. Nawakwi said she strongly suspects that some certain elements in the ministry of Finance are conniving with some international companies to deprive the country of the much need resources.
The FDD leader said it is unfair for Vedanta to be insincere by claiming that KCM has been struggling to make profit.
Anil Agarwal in a video taken in March 2014 posted online by activists from Foil Vedanta shows him telling an audience in Bangalo, India how he bought KCM for just $25 million.
Agarwal claims KCM is giving him $500 million every year in profit, plus an extra $1 billion.
Meanwhile Vedanta has continued to claim that they are making losses or a minimal profit at KCM.
Video below shows Vedanta boss, and 69% owner, Anil Agarwal, telling a large audience how he bought Konkola Copper Mines for just $25 million, rather than the $400 million asking price, and receiving loud cheers when he states that the company brings in $500 million in profit each year.
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Pukuta Mwanza follows proceedings during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambia constitutionThe Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) says the proposal by National Restoration Party (NAREP) leader Elias Chipimo for an interim government to oversee the enactment of the new constitution and subsequent elections is innovative and should be looked at.
EFZ Executive Director Pukuta Mwanza told Qfm in an interview that the Patriotic Front should realize that it is their failure to fulfill their campaign promises to the people of Zambia that people are beginning to come up with such ideas.
Rev. Mwanza said the idea should be looked at in detail, by exploring the modalities of implementing such as idea considering the fact that as it stands now, it falls outside the current constitution realm hence cannot work.
He added that Mr. Chipimo should think through his idea and see how best it can work within the confines of the current constitution.
Rev. Mwanza however pointed out that the idea of having a neutral person with no political interest to oversee the constitution making process may help the country have a people driven constitution ,stating that the process of coming up with a constitution has been affected due to political interests.
He since urged stakeholders not to quickly dismiss the idea by the NAREP leader before critically analyzing and understanding the idea behind it and see how best it can work.
Kitwe Town Clerk Boniwell Lwanga has called on street vendors to make use of the space at Chisokone, Nakadoli and Chamboli markets.
Mr. Lwanga said the city’s central business district can only de-congest if vendor returned to markets which the vendor left for the streets in town.
Mr. Lwanga said the local authority is concerned that the major markets in the district are been turned into white elephants.
He added that the council is also encouraged by the keep Kitwe clean campaign which was launched three weeks ago by the Kitwe mayor Kelvin Sinyangwe.
Mr. Lwanga said the city has enough market space which can be used as opposed to trading in the streets.
He further said the continued trading in the streets defeats the whole purpose of the Keep Kitwe clean campaign because just after cleaning people are back in the streets.
Mr. Lwanga also expressed concern about the sanitary conditions of the vendor.
And Shop-rite Kitwe Town center store Branch Manager Alfred Mahachi complained that the chain store had lost business due to street vending.
Mr. Mahachi says it is sad that the venders outside Shoprite are now selling the same products that the chain store is also selling inside.
He cited vegetables as one area where Shop-rite has lost business adding that some people are no longer interested to shop in shop-rite because of the increase in vending.
Mr. Mahachi added vendors are also scaring away its customer because of alleged hand picking at the entrance of the chain store.
Mr. Mahachi however encouraged the local authority to continue with the exercise of keeping the central business district clean.
Meanwhile Kitwe Mayor Kelvin Sinyangwe has vowed that the campaign will continue to bring back the cleanliness of the city of Kitwe.
Earlier some vendors almost protested after word went round that the vendors will not be trading for six days to keep the city clean as a result of the Mopani Copper Mines 2014 Zambia Open Golf Tournament.
Elias Chipimo speaking at the press briefing at the NAREP Secretariat
National Restoration Party (NAREP) President Elias Chipimo Junior says he will not give up on his idea for a neutral government to run the country for the limited period of nine months to oversee the enactment of the new constitution.
Mr. Chipimo says despite the idea being rejected by a number of stakeholders, it is for the benefit of the majority Zambians.
He states that Zambians have been demanding for a new constitution for many years and nothing has worked in their favor.
Mr. Chipimo says in as much he agrees with UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that the priority for the Zambian people is to have a people driven constitution, his idea can work in tandem with what the people of Zambia want most.
He adds that he is ready to dialogue with other opposition leaders who are not for the idea of a neutral government so that he can learn from them.
Mr. Chipimo is hopeful that once people have digested the idea they may change their minds and come to appreciate it.
Meanwhile, The National Restoration Party (NAREP) is set for national convention next year.
NAREP Information and Publicity Secretary, Wallace Kakoma, revealed the development to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in a telephone interview yesterday.
Mr Kakoma said preparations for the same event have since reached an advanced stage.
He stated that according to NAREP constitution, a national convention should be held after every five years to usher in new leaders who are able to take the party forward.
Mr Kakoma said at the moment, the party is on the ground to sensitise its members at the grassroots level, adding that all the positions in the party will be contested including that of President.
“All the positions in the party will be contested, including that of the President. And anyone wishing to vie for any position in the party will be given a chance to participate,” Mr Kakoma said.
He lamented that the party is also mobilizing resources for the national convention which he said will be the most successful national convention conducted ever.
Mr Kakoma hinted that his party will no doubt win the 2016 general elections without difficulties.
Riot Police in running battles at Lusaka’s notorious Chibolya market, with suspected illicit drug dealers
THIRTEEN suspects facing various capital offences have escaped from a Police post in Lusaka’s notorious Chibolya Township.
The 13 are facing offences ranging from murder, aggravated robbery, theft from motor vehicles, breaking into a building, assault and petty theft.
Zambia police spokesperson, Charity Munganga-Chanda said the suspects escaped from lawful custody around 08:00 hours today.
“We are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the apprehension of the suspects to report to the nearest police station,” Ms Chanda said.
The escape of the suspects from Chibolya police post comes barely three days after a Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) operation in the notorious township where over 56 people were arrested for drug trafficking activities.
Both Police and the DEC have over the years struggled to clean up drug trafficking activities in Chibolya Township leaving the illicit drug dealers to operate freely selling cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other drugs openly.
Coach Patrick Phiri has resigned as Green Buffaloes trainer to take up the role of Nambia National Team technical advisor.
The ex-Chipolopolo coach confirmed on Tuesday that he is leaving Buffaloes following the offer from the Namibian Football Association.
“The truth of the matter is that I have received an offer from the Namibian FA, who have offered me an appointment as Technical Advisor,” Phiri said.
“When the offer came through I talked to my employers here at the army and they were very supportive and have given me a go ahead. I could not say no because they told me they had head-hunted me and our two countries enjoy very good relations from time immemorial so if we can help it is an honour,” he said.
Phiri, who guided Zambia to the 1999 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Nigeria, has coached Nkana, Napsa Stars and Simba Sports Club of Tanzania.
He won the FAZ Super League title with Nkana in 2001 as head coach.
Newly elected MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu says the party will deal swiftly with members who are disloyal to the party and found wanting by the party.
Speaking at a media briefing this morning Mr Lungu said the party will not tolerate discipline among its member in its quest to rebuild it hence members found wanting will be swiftly and harshly dealt with.
“Those found with cases to answer will be dealt with fairly but the punishment if fund wanting will be swift and harsh.”
And Mr Lungu says he will be giving his report to the executive on the non compliance of the five members who were given 10 days to submit exculpatory statements to defend their actions.
The five led by the two vice presidents Michael Kaingu and Dr Brian Chituwo were given 10 days in which to explain their actions but have not done so.
The others are Tourism Chairperson Lucky Mulusa, Party Spokesperson Dora Siliya and Party National Youth Secretary Tobias Kafumukache.
Meanwhile Mr Lungu said the party will embark on membership audit so as to ascertain how strong the party is.
Mr Lungu said the party will only move forward if knew exactly it popularity which it does not know at the moment as it did not audit its members after the lose in 2011.
“Since the MMD lost power more than 2 years ago, a number of critical actions which should have been taken by the party have not been take. The secretary was supposed to have superintended over re-grouping, re-organizing, re-energizing and eventually re-launching the party,” Mr. Lungu noted.
He said the party secretariate will embark on implementation the said steps within the coming weeks and ensure that it has verified data on the party’s popularity.
He further explained that the exercise in not meant to witch hunt some members of the party and cast blame but to ensure that realistic information which the party will use to empower itself properly.
Mr Lungu also called for unity among the party top leadership as well as for the leaders to stop attacking each other through the media.
He urged them to ensure that they verify on the issue before issuing statements that would only cause further tension and misunderstanding among members.
He further denied allegations that he said that Dr Musokotwane had been convinced that he would be the next party president by the group which was agitating for an extraordinary convention.
“At no point did in my 2 hour discussion on Cross Fire Blog Radio did I indicate that discussion was centered around the presidency.”
And the MMD women has joined the international community in calling for the release of school girls abducted by Islamicist group Boko Haram in Nothern Nigeria.
MMD chairperson for international relations Ambassador Joyce Musange said mothers in the MMD were with the mothers of Nigeria and implored the Islamist group to release the girls.
She said as mothers women in the country understand what the mothers of the girls are going through and the militant group should release the girls without further delays.
Nkana left for Egypt on Tuesday evening ahead of their 2014 CAF Confederation Cup group stage match against Cairo giants Al Ahly this weekend.
The team departed from Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola around 14h00 before connecting to Ethiopia via Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 18h30.
Nkana kickoff their campaign for a semifinal berth with a Group B match against Al Ahly on Saturday in Cairo.
“We are set, we are prepared,” Coach Masauso Mwale said prior to departure.
Mwale has carried a 20-member squad to Egypt.
He named striker Evans Kangwa, defender Charles Shamujompa and midfielder Bruce Musakanya in his squad.
The FAZ Super League champions, however, be without defender Christopher Munthali and midfielder Sydney Kalume, who are on suspension after accumulating yellow cards.
The team:
Goalkeepers: Rabson Mucheleng’anga, Charles Mweemba, Makasa Mufwaya Defenders: Billy Mwanza, Noel Phiri, Maybin Chishimba,Joe Lungu, Masautso Zimba, Charles Shamujompa, Derrick Mwansa
Midfielders: Donashano Malama, Claude Bwalya, Kelvin Mubanga, Mwila Kabwe, Shadreck Musonda, Bruce Musakanya
Strikers: Ronald Kampamba, Evans Kangwa, Francis Kombe and Simon Bwalya.
The Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) has with immediate effect suspended both passenger and goods trains between Tunduma and Dar- es- Salaam due to withdrawal of labour by unionized workers on the Tanzanian side.
The workers are demanding their four months unpaid salaries by management.
This is contained in a press statement from TAZARA Head of Public Relations, Conrad Simuchile, and made available to ZANIS in Kasama today.
Mr Simuchile said as a result of the strike which started on Monday last week the company has with immediate effect suspended both freights until further notice.
He revealed that normal business will, however, continue on the Zambian side between New Kapiri-Mposhi and Nakonde.
The Head of Public Relations said Tuesday Passenger train will run between Kapiri-Mposhi and terminate at Nakonde and return to new Kapiri-Mposhi tomorrow on Wednesday.
And workers at TAZARA Station in Kasama have vowed to continue with the go slow until the arrears are paid.
The workers complained that they have been turned destitute as they were unable to support their families.
The workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also appealed to government to immediately remove the current management for their alleged failure to deliver for the benefit of the company.
They said the once profit making company has now been marred by inefficiency as the rail system has failed to operate effectively.
They wondered why they should be crying to government all the time to sort out their financial problems.
