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President Sata during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development FDD has questioned the logic behind republican president Michael Sata’s claims that the opposition UPND wanted to hijack him.
FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the statement by the president is an indication that the people surrounding him have failed and a sign that he needs help
“As FDD we find the statement by the president that UPND wanted to hijack him very, very unfortunate and an indication that the people managing the president have really failed to manage to him,” said Mr. Mwanza.
Mr Mwanza noted that it was unfortunate that the president can make himself a spectacle of drama and comedy in such a manner as everyone in the country knows that the president is the commander in-chief of the armed forces and is in control of all the armed forces in the country as well as law enforcement agencies which he could have used to bring the alleged criminals to book.
“It is very unfortunate that the president can make a spectacle of drama and comedy in such a fashion because all of us know that the president is the commander in-chief of the armed forces in the country so if he has information that some people wanted to abduct or hijack him then why not use the law enforcement agencies to bring the alleged criminals to book instead of issuing alarming statements in public,” said Mr. Mwanza.
He said,” President Sata really needs help because the people managing him do not care how he conducts himself either in public or private.”
Mr. Mwanza further said it is embarrassing that the president has continues conduct himself in a manner not befitting that of the head of state as he continues to make himself a spectacle whenever he appears in public.
Called on the people managing the president to ensure that the president is restrained from making such wild statements in public.
Yesterday republican president Michael Sata accused the opposition UPND of plotting to hijack him a statement the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema rubbished as a ploy by the president to divert the attention of the public from the challenges affecting the country such as the high cost of living.
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda (right) and Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Secretary Roy Mwaba
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda has noted the importance of diplomacy in all sectors of the country’s development.
Mr. Shamenda said Zambians should take diplomacy seriously if the country is to develop.
He said diplomacy is a daily etiquette which all workers in government and private including general citizens should apply.
Mr. Shamenda further admitted that most government offices lack diplomacy in their operation.
And Dr. Elizabeth Nkumbula challenged Ministers to take up Diplomatic Studies so that they can carry out their work effectively.
She was speaking during the presentation of Diplomacy certificates to senior officials from NAPSA, Workers Compensation Control Board and the Ministry of Labour.
The over 20 recipients attended the Diplomacy course at Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies.
Irate farmers today stormed former Namboard shades and closed the tobacco market floors in protest of the low market price offered for the commodity.
The angry farmers gave the tobacco merchants in the area 48 hours in which to increase the price of tobacco failure to which they would take serious steps to ensure that the price of the commodity was made favourable.
They claimed that they invested a lot of money in the production of tobacco and stated that it would be unfair for them to sale the commodity at 30 cents per kilogramme.
A check by ZANIS found a number of farmers at the storage shade who accused tobacco merchants of exploiting them by setting low prices for the commodity.
The farmers locked up the two shades owned by Alliance One and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) accusing the merchants of deliberately downgrading the tobacco in order to benefit themselves.
Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) Operations Manager Abiton Phiri was found addressing the farmers told them that he would forward their complaints to the relevant authorities.
One of the farmers Chiwele Maimisa said the setting up of the prices between 30 cents and USD240 was a mockery as they had spent a lot of money to grow and process the tobacco.
“We need to get value for the produce because we spent a lot of money to cultivate and process it, most of the farmers used to spend nights in the cold and they owe companies where they got loans to produce the commodity, how do they pay back?” He wondered.
Mr Maimisa said there was need to revisit the prices and ensure that it favours the farmers as farming was a business that helped farmers put food on their tables.
Gilbert Kangwa alleged that the merchants had downgraded good quality tobacco in order to buy it at a low price, and yet them intended to sell it at a higher price.
“These merchants are selling the tobacco at higher prices on the international market,” said Mr Kangwa.
Kenneth Tembo who also expressed displeasure with the low market price of tobacco said farmers were expecting the lowest grade of tobacco to be sold at 90 cents as opposed to the 30 cents which he said would lead farmers to poverty as they solely depended on farming for their livelihoods.
Mr Tembo claimed that such actions by the tobacco merchants were de-campaigning the government as they were killing the agriculture industry which he said is the mainstay of Eastern Province.
Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda consoles Chilenje ward eight councillor Maggy Zulu who was overcome with grief when the parliamentarian visited a house in Chalala township where a woman died after the structure caught fire in Lusaka recently
KABWATA Member of Parliament Given Lubinda has called on Lusaka city council (LCC) to put up fire hydrants in most townships if fire fighters are to be effective.
Mr Lubinda said this yesterday when he visited the funeral house of a 70 year old woman of Lusaka’s Chalala area who was burnt to death after she failed to come out of the house when it caught fire.
Christine Kambunga died after failing to escape the ravaging fire that swept through her house on Tuesday evening after a suspected electrical fault
He said most people have lost properties in circumstances that could have been avoided if fire fighter acted on time.
Mr lumbinda also called on the resident to be patient with fire fighters who were believed to have been stoned in protest of leaving the scene when they run out of water living the house on fire.
Ms Kambunga who had a stroke has since been buried in Pemba Southern Province.
The fire which started around 19:30 hours lasted over three hours reducing the house and the household property to ashes.
By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the house had already been reduced ashes and were only in time to pick up the charred remains of the woman.
The Primary Education Teachers Union of Zambia (PETUZ) has praised the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education for taking over some community schools and converting them into government owned institutions.
PETUZ president Vincent Mwitumwa said the move was welcome because it will improve children’s access to sustainable education especially in rural areas.
Mr. Mwitumwa disclosed this to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka yesterday.
He stated that government should also consider turning the remaining community schools into government institutions.
Mr. Mwitumwa said some community schools in rural areas were deplorable due to lack of capacity by those who run them.
And Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) General Secretary Newman Bubala also commended the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education for deciding to convert community schools into government ones.
Mr. Bubala said this will improve education standards in areas where such schools are situated.
He however urged government to recruit more teachers to work in converted schools.
He said without deployed enough qualified teachers to those schools, it would be meaningless to turn community schools into government owned.
Mr. Bubala also called on government to improve infrastructure in community schools which it has taken over in order to make the learning environment conducive.
A named 22 Year old school girl in Shiwang’andu District of Muchinga Province has been arrested for alleged abortion.
It is believed that the grade 10 pupil at Mulanga Day Secondary School did terminate a three months pregnancy on 29 April, 2014 between 10: 00 and 11 : 00 hours in Matumbo village.
ZANIS reports that Muchinga Deputy Police Commissioner, Bonny Kapeso confirmed the arrest in an interview, yesterday.
Mr Kapeso said the suspect was apprehended yesterday and taken to Chinsali District Community Hospital for examination.
He said the suspect is still in police custody and that more examinations will be conducted later today.
Mr Kapeso has warned of stain action against perpetuators of such acts and advised schooling going children not to indulge themselves in illicit behaviours.
ZAMBIA National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Director General Chibamba Kanyama says investigative journalism requires courage and integrity and has since called on media practitioners to change the status quo.
Mr Kanyama said it is through investigative reporting that policy makers would be made accountable to their actions.
“What we see now is lack of passion, motivation, and people failing to leave a legacy as well as failing to sacrifice stories are appreciated by the public,” Mr Kanyama said.
Mr Kanyama said investigative reporting should not only focus on scandals but also other issues concerning the environmental and failure to meet obligations.
He cited the indiscriminate disposing of waste and the impact on the environment and human beings as some of the stories that could be investigated with less legal implication like scandals which required huge resources.
Mr Kanyama said this on Thursday afternoon at the luncheon and screening of the movie “All the President’s me” during a panel discussion in honour of the World Press Freedom at the US Embassy.
US Embassy Charge’d’Affaires David J Young and Times Printpak Managing Director Godfrey Malama were part of the panel.
Mr Kanyama, however, observed that investigative journalism required substantial investment of resources which most of the media houses could afford because there were operating on shoe-string budgets thus ended up with straight forward stories.
Meanwhile, Mr Kanyama said there is need to train media practitioners in mature and responsible management of information in the wake of the Access to Information bill.
He said the Bill was an important tool that could promote media freedom but if not handled properly, it could be a danger weapon to society.
In the same vein, Mr Malama said the country needed the law in order to contribute the development and wellbeing of society.
He said the country needed the Access to Information Bill in order to promote transparency and accountability but some media practitioners needed to be responsible.
“We need the law but the level of responsibility is very cardinal,” Mr Malama said.
Mr Young, who was concerned with cadre violence especially, attacks on the media, reiterated that media freedom was important because it was a fundamental right towards health democracy.
President Michael Sata with First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and ZAF commander Lt Gen Eric Chimese during the commissioning parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has said he is pleased that the military personnel in Zambia are not misusing their guns and swords to engage in robberies and other wrong vices.
Mr Sata, who was accompanied by the First Lady Christine Kaseba, also saluted the male military personnel for not misusing their guns and swords to attack their wives although women were very provocative.
He was speaking in Livingstone at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport yesterday when he officially commissioned a Zambia Airforce (ZAF) parade which comprised of 100 graduating officer cadets out of which 25 are females.
“The Zambian people have trusted you (ZAF personnel). They have given you a gun and they have given you a sword. I am very pleased with all of you and your command that you have not misused those guns to engage in robberies or otherwise. You have not misused the guns against your wives because women can be very provocative,” President Sata said.
He said Zambia was very peaceful and that was why the men and women in uniforms had not used their guns and swords to fight during the last two years.
During the same colorful ceremony which was full of exciting marching styles and flypast by ZAF personnel, President Sata promoted a graduating student Mercy Simatemba from the rank of a Lieutenant to a Major.
[pullquote] You have not misused the guns against your wives because women can be very provocative,” President Sata said.[/pullquote]
He said he was very impressed with a woman who was commanding a team of men and that was why he promoted her.
Late President Frederick Chiluba’s son, Frederick Chiluba junior was one of the graduating officers who are direct entrants into ZAF.
Defence Minister Edgar Lungu, Youth and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula, Transport Minister Yamfwa Mukanga, Tourism and Arts Deputy Minister Lawrence Evans, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe, Senior Chief Mukuni, Defence and Security Chiefs as well as senior Government officials were among those who witnessed the ceremony.
Mr Sata also called for an improvement to the conditions of service for men and women in uniforms.
“Zambia is very peaceful and that is why we have not used these guns and swords for the last two years.
We have not used the short buttons, if there is anything we can do to improve the conditions of service for these young men and women in uniforms, let’s do it,” he said.
Mr Sata also said he was very grateful to God for giving him his wife Christine Kaseba.
“Without my wife, I would have died a long time ago. She feeds me well and she talks too much. But I have survived and we need more of that,” he said.
In a light moment, President told ZAR personnel that they were all very intelligent as well as diligent and that they were not looking like Mr Lungu (Defence Minister).
He also narrated that in 1956, he broke a barrier to go into what was called a European job to work as a policeman.
“In 1956, we opened Lilayi Police Training Station and there were mainly white policemen in key positions while blacks were only constables to be sent to go and harass other fellow human beings,” he said.
[pullquote]“Without my wife, I would have died a long time ago. She feeds me well and she talks too much. But I have survived and we need more of that,” he said.[/pullquote]
The President urged ZAF officers to work hard and carry on from where the colonial masters ended.
Mr Sata also thanked Mr Munkombwe and the men and women in uniforms for protecting him.
“When I was coming to Livingstone early in the morning, my intelligence told me that the United Party for National Development (UPND) was waiting to hijack me and embarrass me.
Thank you Hon Munkombwe and the ladies in uniforms for protecting me,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Zambia Air Force commander Erick Chimese said the graduating officers to maintain high standards of discipline and loyalty to the President and the Government.
Lt Chimese also urged the men and women in uniforms to resourceful and innovative as well as to desist engaging in political activities and other vices which could bring the military life into disrepute.
“From 2011 to-date, ZAF is better equipped to carry out our mandate as an air force compared to the previous situation,” he said.
Leaders Power Dynamos on Saturday host Red Arrows in Kitwe knowing that their stay at the top of the FAZ Super League is under-threat from second placed Zesco United.
Power who have 17 points from seven games must beat Arrows to remain on top in-case Zesco collects maximum points off National Assembly at home on Sunday.
Tenant Chilumba’s side is targeting to bounce back from two consective draws as they face sixth placed Arrows at Arthur Davies Stadium.
The two teams last met in September 2013 in a league match the Kitwe side won 1-0 in Lusaka.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Nchanga Rangers host Konkola Blades in the KCM deby in Chingola in the 15h00 kick off match while in the lunch-time match at the same venue Konkola Mine Police will be against Napsa Stars.
Mine Police motivated by Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Zesco United takes on Napsa who are smarting from their first loss of the season inflicted on them by Indeni last Sunday.
MTN/FAZ Super Division Week 8 Fixture
10/05/2014
Nakambala Leopards-Roan United
Power Dynamos-Red Arrows
Kabwe Warriors-Zanaco
Green Buffaloes-Green Eagles
The statement attributed to president Michael Sata that UPND were planning to hijack him in Livingstone has no basis and is just another attempt to justify his failure to attend to national duties as the Republican president.
Instead of competently attending to national duties such as the one he went to officiate, lower the cost of living for the Zambians, addressing the depreciating currency, Mr. Sata is now resorting to alarming statements dragging the UPND as a justification for his failures.
We all know that Mr. Sata, as the Head of State, is the most protected person in this country who cannot be hindered from any part of the country.
In fact, it is a well know fact that it is actually the UPND and many other innocent citizens who have repeatedly been brutalised by Mr. Sata and PF thuggery across the country.
As UPND and other citizens, we have been attacked in churches, attacked in Eastern province, almost assassinated in Ndola, and for him to issue such wild-outbursts is another futile attempt to divert the nation from serious national issues such as constitution making process, high mealie meal prices, and serious matters in the nation.
It is actually the ordinary citizens from UPND, churches, civil society organisations, that are currently crying-out for protection from Mr. Sata and his PF thugs who have so far remained mute despite these abuses.
We know Mr. Sata is just a joker, but such jokes are now out of order and a serious threat to national security.
In fact, such statements from the Head of State justifies what we have always been saying that the PF wants to create an environment to for effecting a state of emergency.
I am therefore appealing to all well meaning citizens to dismiss this careless outburst from our Head of State with the contempt it deserves.
Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Goodwell Lungu (R) (file Picture)
Transparency International Zambia TIZ has observed that there is no political will in dealing with the auditor generals report.
Speaking in an interview TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu noted that no one appears to be responsible enough to take action on those fund wanting.
He said most of the issues start with controlling officers who exhibit lack of control hence the expectation from his organization is that the president dismisses them immediately to pave way for investigations.
“There is a shortfall of political will to deal with issues of the Auditor General’s reports and also it appears that no one seems to be taking responsibilities on taking action, it starts with controlling officers who exhibit lack of control and in our opinion the president should have dismissed them by now,” Mr. Lungu said.
Mr Lungu further noted that if the people who are named in the Auditor General’s report are not punished the such irregularities will continue hence the need for the appointing authority to take action and dismiss those found wanting.
Yesterday TIZ called for the immediate suspension of North Western Provincial Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu who is also Mongu Central Member of Parliament for procurement irregularities cited tin the Auditor General’s report.
TIZ expressed dismay to learn that the minister irregularly directed the Mongu Municipal Council to award contracts in the allocation of 2 projects.
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has called on government to open the export market for maize and ensure that this year’s produce does not go to waste.
Speaking in an interview ZNFU Executive Director Ndambo Ndambo said the country should take advantage of the market in the region and export the surplus maize.
Mr. Ndambo observed that with the inadequate storage facilities currently in existence in the country it is important that government opens up the export market to neighbouring countries to avoid grain going to waste.
He also notes that exporting the excess produce will help the country earn the much needed foreign exchange.
He further said the country should also continue investing in social facilities which he says cannot be developed overnight.
He notes that the country can only live up to its expectation as the region’s food basket if the produce is accessible to others.
He warns that if measures are not put in place then the country will lose its grain once more like in the past and the bumper harvest would only be a record without benefiting the people in the country.
And Mr Ndambo has called on small scale farmers to be patient and avoid selling their produce to unscrupulous business men at a loss.
He says farmers should not be duped into selling off their produce while its in the field without knowing the exact quantity of their labour.
He advised the farmers not to be desperate by allowing briefcase business men to dupe them of their hard earned produce.
He said the farmers in need of help should visit regional offices so that they can be properly advised.
Some small scale farmers are said to be selling of their produce before it is even harvested from the fields.
Zambia Red Cross Society President Godfrey Simasiku says the International federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent has come with a strategy to address road traffic accidents.
Mr Simasiku said the Red Cross in the country will work with critical partners such as the Zambia Police, RATSA and other cooperating partners to ensure that the deaths due to road accidents in the country are reduced.
He said the institution will visit schools in the country to sensitize and recruit more members who will help in serving lives on the road.
He emphasized the important work the Red Cross Society performs in helping state players to serve the people in times of need.
And Mr Simasiku has attributed the high number of accidents in the country to carelessness by drivers.
He note that most drivers have not had sufficient training on do not know the rules on the road.
He observed that some drivers drive at the same speed whether its on a straight road or curve when a vehicle was not meant to function like that.
He added that these days drivers are cruising at night even when they can not see far and when there are obstacles on the road have little time to reduce the speed hence leading to accidents that the country is seeing today.
He appealed to road users to be mindful of others on the road and ensure that traffic rules and signs are adhered to whenever one is driving.
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Executive Director Ndambo Ndambo says it is saddening that the majority of the rural poor failing to feed themselves claim to be farmers.
Speaking during a signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement between ZNFU and the Finnish government Mr. Ndambo noted that most of the small scale farmers were living in abject poverty.
He explained that the agreement will help uplift the lives of small scale farmers who are the majority rural poor.
“It is sad to note that the majority of our rural poor, those failing to feed themselves claim to be farmers.”
He said the union was elated by the opportunity to sign an agreement that will see a lot of lives improved through the support of the Finnish government.
And Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen said his government’s policy emphasizes on inclusive sustainable growth and reduction of inequalities.
“Finland’s development policy emphasizes inclusive sustainable growth and reduction of inequalities. The Core Support Programme Phase 2 funded on ZNFU’s democratic and good governance principals is expected to, enhance participation of smallholder farmers and the vulnerable members of society,” he said.
The agreement succeeds the 2009 programme which expired in 2013.
The government of Finland will give a grant of 4,000,000 Euros which is part of 7,600,000 financial contribution expected from Finland, will finance the Core Support Programme Phase 2 for 2014 and 2015.
The phase 2 core programme will among other things enhance ZNFU’s capacity for agriculture service delivery by consolidating, diversifying and developing of new services.
This is expected to increase smallholder farmers’ access to capital and productive assets, output and input markets, financial services, on-farm productivity enhancing technologies and skills.
President Sata receives flowers on arrival for the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata greets Commissioner of prisons Percy Chato on arrival the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata greeting a child during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata greeting a child during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata greeting children during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata greets Service chiefs on arrival the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata inpectss the guard of honor during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata inspects the guard of honor during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata with First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and newly commissioned second Lt Frederick Chiluba Junior during the ZAF Commissioning parade in Livingstone on may 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Michael Sata with First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and ZAF commander Lt Gen Eric Chimese during the commissioning parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
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President Sata during the ZAF commissioning Parade in Livingstone on May 9,2014 -Picture by T. Nsama
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President Sata with First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba flanked by ZAF Commander Lt Gen Eric Chimese on arrival in Livingstone for the ZAF Commissioning Parade on May 9,2014 -Picture by T.Nsama
