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A Taxi driver in Kitwe was attacked and his vehicle snatched by armed robbers dressed in police attire.
The armed robbers beat the taxi driver and got away with K4, 000.
Copperbelt deputy police commissioner Sam Chewe confirmed the robbery which took place in the early hours of the morning in Chimwemwe Township.Mr Chewe said the taxi driver was attacked around 01:00 hours by four armed men who snatched his vehicle, a Toyota Spacio registration number ACR 2848 and the K4, 000 which was in the car.He said the vehicle was however recovered later after it was abandoned within Chimwemwe.
Lusaka Province Patriotic Front Chairman Geoffrey Chumbwe (right) speaking to journalists as his Copperbelt counterpart Stardy Mwale looks on
By Field Ruwe
With pursed lips and cold eyes a bespectacled Geoffrey Chuumbwe spoke: “We’re being forced to act violently against opposition leaders due to continued insults of the republican president and the party leadership.”
“The Greenshirts are here!” I exclaimed as I watched him.
Draped as he was in a Sata deity cassava green shirt, with a blood-thirsty trigger-happy Stardy Mwale next to him, grinning lecherously like a ravenous vampire, I was reminded of the “Brownshirts,” a military wing of the Nazi Party. The Brownshirts’ preoccupation was to terrorize those who voiced dissenting views. They ambushed, beat up, and eliminated opposition leaders, journalists, human rights activists, and citizens.
I was not surprised it had come to this. Since February 2013 when PF and UPND cadres clashed in Livingstone, resulting in the loss of a life, an atmosphere of anarchy and violence has prevailed. In full view of a president known to vent his pent-up spleen on those who threaten his reign, attacks by machete wielding PF cadres on the opposition are on the rise.
[pullquote]“This is your president!” he said with cabbage in hand. “This is president Mwanawasa!”Sata continued: “Levy Mwanawasa is a cabbage. I demand that Chief Justice Ernest Sakala appoints a team of three doctors to investigate his mental health.”[/pullquote]
As Chuumbwe’s press conference progressed I imagined what would become of any opposition leader who dared walk into the room and tell him and his Greenshirts that their leader, Michael Chilufya Sata is the worst defamer who ought to be in jail; that he is a liar and a dictator who is spreading chaos on the street while posing as a champion of law and order. They would skin him alive, literally.
“Let this be a lesson to you all,” a bloodied Chuumbwe would say. “Do not mess with the PF; anyone who defames President Michael Sata will do so at his own peril.”
As I watched Chuumbwe, I said to myself president Sata is clearly the most self-centered, self-seeking, and self-regarding political leader in Zambia. He is the most selfish human being. How can he be hunting for people who “defame” him when he is “the quintessence of defamation,” the Defamer-in-Chief? He should not be in State House but in jail for defamation, libel and slander. Had Levy Mwanawasa been a maligned narcissistic leader like him, he would have locked him up and thrown away the key.
Lest we forget, in the run-up to the 2006 presidential elections Sata committed one of the worst defamations of a president. Addressing a rally he referred to Mwanawasa as a vegetable.
“This is your president!” he said with cabbage in hand. “This is president Mwanawasa!”
“No more cabbages!” The crowd chanted.
Sata continued: “Levy Mwanawasa is a cabbage. I demand that Chief Justice Ernest Sakala appoints a team of three doctors to investigate his mental health.”
A rational and gracious Mwanawasa did not lose his head and send the police to arrest Sata. Instead, he made light of Sata’s heinous, mindless, and gruesome performance: “I regard ‘cabbage’ as Vaseline oil that I apply on my body,” Mwanawasa simply said.
Defaming the head of state is a criminal offense that carries a jail sentence of up to three years. Sata would have served countless years in each of his predecessors’ reign and would still be in jail today. Who has he not defamed? Kaunda, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Banda, his vice president, members of parliament, cabinet ministers, George Bush and other presidents, Chitimukulu and other chiefs, the Chinese, the British, Americans, priests, citizens…the list goes on.
Remember, Sata defamed Kaunda when he publicly called him a dictator and other unwarranted insults. How can we forget June 24, 1991 when he falsely labelled Kaunda a plunderer?
“The old man behaves like Mobutu Sese Seko. Mobutu Sese Seko did not want anybody to be equated to that office of his,” Sata said.
When Chiluba refused to appoint him as his successor, he called him a “short” thief who “has lost his senses,” and is “married to a convict.” Like Emmanuel Mwamba once stated, Sata was “constantly” defaming Chiluba “by questioning his life style, spiritual, social and political life.” Rupiah Banda was not spared. He was accused of “enjoying pornography” among other invectives.
But the defamer hates to be defamed. In a fashion typical of people with narcissistic personality disorder, Sata is always running to court each time he is defamed. Here are but a few defamation, libel and slander suits: 1994: Sata vs Post Newspaper Ltd; 2006: Sata vs Zambia Daily Mail; 2009: Sata vs Benny Tetamashimba; 2009: Sata vs Edward Mumbi; 2010: Sata vs Times of Zambia. He has continued to sue even as head of state: 2011: Sata vs Chanda Chimba; 2011: Sata vs Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha; 2012: Sata vs Hakainde Hichilema; 2012: Sata vs Llyod Himambo, Richard Sakala, Robert Armsterdam, Dr. Choolwe Beyani. Now he has engaged his Greenshirts to hunt for more “defamers” so he can throw them in jail and watch them die. How heartless and senseless!
[pullquote]A 1994 “Zambia Daily Mail” police advertisement published in which Chuumbwe was wanted for an armed robbery that occurred in Lusaka[/pullquote]
Let me get back to Chuumbwe for a moment. I was bothered not by his threats and intimidations, but by his utter disregard of the law. Who is this person who has the moral right and duty to spread terror with such clout? I was curious. I wanted to learn more about him because he has the potential to become part of Zambia’s tragic history. We have watched on television people like him, brainwashed by their leaders, commit heinous atrocities in Central Africa, South Sudan, Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
I did a quick background check and tumbled on a disturbing story by the “Zambia Reports” dated October 16, 2013, which insinuates Chuumbwe may have been an armed robber. The story alludes to a 1994 “Zambia Daily Mail” police advertisement published in which he was wanted for a “robbery that occurred in Lusaka on August, 4, 1994.”
“Good grief,” I said. “Political parties could be harboring hardcore criminals. No wonder it has become impossible to pursue and prosecute the people behind the untimely deaths of Paul Tembo, Ronald Penza, Wezi Kaunda, and all.”
If indeed it is true Chuumbwe was an armed robber why did Sata appoint him Lusaka Province PF chairman? Before a head of state appoints anyone to any position his security department filters the individual to detail. Was Chuumbwe’s criminal record, if any, accessed? Did Sata consult with the Inspector General of Police? Could it be possible that Sata has known Chuumbwe from time immemorial? Perhaps the most serious question is; are the likes of Chuumbwe causing terror with Sata’s consent? Are these panga thugs and assailants Sata’s auxiliary police—his Greenshirts? If indeed they are then we must brace ourselves for untold atrocities.
Notice I apply the term “auxiliary police.” This is because Chuumbwe’s conference could only be staged by the Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani with formal permission and clearance by the president because it is a matter of national security. The Zambian Police Force has policies and procedures for issuing statements on matters of violence in the country. Libongani knows very well that Chuumbwe, Sturdy Mwale, Clement Katongo and those present engaged in an unlawful assembly for the purpose of preparing to engage in tumultuous and violent conduct likely to cause public alarm.
[pullquote]Katongo revealed that Zambia’s intelligence agency is accessing user data from mobile phone and tapping into the most sensitive information stored on the phone, including contact lists, SMS traffic, notes and location information about where the user is or has been. It is then passing it on to party cadres.[/pullquote]
“Youths in the party will not fold arms while the opposition continue[s] to insult the president,” Chuumbwe said.
Katongo added: “You may wish to know that for as long as someone using their mobile phone registered in Zambia or laptop connected to any Internet provider in the country, they will not run away or hide from their crimes.”
Katongo had just revealed that Zambia’s intelligence agency is accessing user data from mobile phone and tapping into the most sensitive information stored on the phone, including contact lists, SMS traffic, notes and location information about where the user is or has been. It is then passing it on to party cadres. This revelation is of great concern because it means that the Zambian intelligence has broken encryption and that all mobile phones and computer files for all Zambians are in the hands of PF cadres.
If this is the case, the PF cadres are listening to anyone and everyone, even loyalists and ardent supporters of the president. If Katongo is right, we have no control over our personal life; Sata and his PF cadres (Greenshirts) are controlling as much of our life as they can. If on the other hand Katongo lied, he must be deemed an enemy of the state. Inspector General Libongani must arrest Chuumbwe, Mwale, and Katongo for taking matters in their hands and creating a recipe for mayhem.
Of course this will not happened, not under the leadership of president Sata. He has already given himself emergency powers that allow him to hunt down his enemies. Some of his ministers like Yamfwa Mukanga have, in their effort not to look “useless,” put on the Greenshirt and are acting beyond the bounds of reason. Mukanga is using his extra-legal terror to intimidate and stampede Sata’s opponents.
“We are closing-in on people who abuse the online publications to defame others in the name of freedom of speech,” he said.
With threats such as the one above there is bound to be blood spilled in the land. It is clear that Mukanga has a list of marked people up for vengeance. Should we begin to think president Sata is the mastermind behind all this? Yes, certainly. His silence on matters of violence is a sign of worse things to come.
Throughout his political career Sata has served as a propagandist and an inciter who has often advocated for violence both in UNIP and the MMD. Both these parties wreaked terrible physical aggression on men and women they hated and feared. We are living in perhaps a worse condition where anybody who questions the legitimacy of Sata’s authoritarian rule is subjected to death threats and imprisonment. The president is using his cadres for propaganda and intimidating purposes. Should we then expect a state pogrom of unrestrained hordes carried out on the enemies of the president—journalists, human rights advocates, opposition leaders, and citizens? Sadly, the answer is “yes.”
Remember, Sata and his Greenshirts are listening in and tracking your every move. Your mobile phone is now your worst enemy. How about this? Return your mobile phone to the courier and demand for a new secure SMS, or urge all mobile users to turn off the phone for a day as a protest and see what happens.
A Zimbabwean friend once told me the following: “what we Zimbabweans have bitterly learned over the years is that ‘prevention is better than cure.’” It is the same lesson President Bill Clinton learned over Rwanda. The United States, Britain, the entire West, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations, and all Human Rights watchdogs, must keep an eagle’s eye on Zambia and stow in their minds names of people mentioned in this article.
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has called on the two factions in the former ruling party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to amicably sort out there problems as their continued infighting is not inspiring the country.
Speaking in an interview FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi advised the two factions to have a round table meeting chaired by an independent person or group were the two groups can try and reconcile as well as find an amicable solution to the problems in the former ruling party.
Mr Chipenzi said the ongoing wrangles in the MMD are ripping the party apart and are not inspiring to ordinary members considering that the wrangles are an open secret as senior members are always attacking one another through the press.
“In as much as democracy is about divergent views the wrangles in the MMD are not inspiring to ordinary members especially that their wrangles are always an open secret as it is always in the press whenever they attack one another.
“What we want to appeal to the MMD is that let them organize a round table meeting and find a very independent moderator to try and reconcile the two factions so that an amicable solution can be found to the problems that they may have,” Mr Chipenzi said.
Mr Chipenzi further called on the for ruling party to show maturity in how it sorts out its internal problems and show the nation that it is indeed the mother of the country’s democracy the public considers it to be by ensuring that it resolves the current problems amicably.
“Yes intra democracy is very important, yes intra conflict is unavoidable but how we solve those things, how we resolve them is what makes the party to be seen like its mature or it still needs to grow and MMD having been in power for 20years must have known how to handle such kinds of conflicts. They should have conflict resolution mechanisms which are effective that will help them stand firm in the face of such kind of pressures,” He said
Meanwhile Mr Chipenzi has appealed to other opposition political parties in the country to help MMD stabilize as their misfortune may spill over to other political parties.
He said, “We appeal to other political parties to help the MMD stabilize because their misfortune may spill over to you political parties so the more you find a better and lasting solution to the sister party the better for your existence.”
He also called on any external forces that might be pushing their agenda in the MMD to stop as the same fate may befall them.
The MMD has been engulfed in wrangles which continue to deepen as the two factions seem to have failed to find amicable solutions to the problems in the party.
MMD president Nevers Mumba arrives at St Ignatius Parish for the way of the Cross service
The opposition MMD has commenced disciplinary action against five of its senior members for putting the name of the party in disrepute.
The five are Dora Siliya, Vice Presidents Michael Kaingu, Brian Chituwo, Lucky Mulusa and Tobias Kafumukache.
MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu confirmed that he had written letters to the five asking them to exculpate themselves.
Mr Lungu said the letters written yesterday should give them five a chance to explain their actions.
“This process was agreed upon at the last NEC meeting, we resolved to commence disciplinary procedures against the five officials for bringing the name of the MMD into disrepute and disregarding the President’s order for cease fire. They have up to 21 days to respond,” Mr Lungu said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has disputed media reports that he was blocked from entering the MMD secretariat yesterday by cadres supporting those opposed to Dr Nevers Mumba’s leadership.
He said he reported for work in the morning and only left the Secretariat after intelligence reports indicated that four bus loads had been hired full of cadres to cause confusion at the Secretariat.
“It is incorrect to state that I was blocked. I was not blocked. I reported for work and carried out a few tasks. I only left the secretariat when I realized that the thugs from Chibolya were coming to cause confusion. As a law abiding citizen, I left the Secretariat to avoid anarchy and I called the police.”
Mr Lungu said Police officers arrived around 14 Hours and dispersed the cadres after which he was able to enter the Secretariat around 16 Hours.
He also revealed that he will today lodge in an official complaint to the Zambia Police and have the cadres cited for trespass.
Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.
PROS
Excellent acting by the whole cast . Chris Evans has grown significantly in his role as Captain America, since The Avengers.
The plot of the movie was easy to follow and yet exciting with twists and turns .
Great action scenes through out the movie .
CONS
If you have not watched the first Captain America movie or The Avengers , you may feel abit lost half way through the movie .
FAVORITE QUOTES
Captain America/Steve Rogers: The price of freedom is high… and it’s a price I’m willing to pay.
Sam Wilson/Falcon: How do we know the good guys from the bad guys?!
Captain America/Steve Rogers: If they’re shooting at you they’re bad!
Nick Fury: Shield takes the world as it is, not as we’d like it to be.
Captain America/Steve Rogers: This isn’t freedom. This is fear!
CONCLUSION
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is , in my humble opinion , a masterpiece ! Excellent movie from the very beginning to the very end .The movie stabs right at the heart of the ultimate virtue for which Captain America stands,freedom ,by questioning what exactly such a virtue entails and what is required to preserve it. The whole cast did a great job ,the inclusion of Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon) was pure gold . The action and fight sequences were expertly choreographed . This is a must watch for all movie lovers .
Nkana will be heading back to Egypt and Tunisia in the group stage of the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup.
Masauso Mwale’s side have been drawn in Group B where they have been drawn against eight-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt and 2012 Confederation Cup champions Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.
Cote d’Ivoire side Sewe Sport complete Group B.
Match dates and other details to follow shortly…
GRP A: CotonSport (Cam), AC Leopards (Congo Brz), ASEC (CIV), Real Bamako(Mali)
THE Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) director general erroneously drew US$60, 000 (K360, 000) from Government funding apportioned to the Agency as additional monthly earnings from May 2011 to October 2013, the Auditor General Anna Chifungula has revealed.
Ms Chifungula said a scrutiny of the contract for the ZDA director general stipulated that he was to receive donor funded monthly income amounting to US$2, 000 in addition to his salary.
In her Audit report on the accounts for Parastatal bodies for the financial year 2012, Ms Chifungula said that clause 5.2 of the director general’s contract exempted the additional monthly income from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.
“The exclusion of that portion of his emoluments from being taxed is a contravention of CAP 323 of the Laws of Zambia, Income Tax Act schedule II, which does not include such incomes and such officers among tax exempt incomes and office bearers,” the report said.
She said the US$60, 000 incomes drawn between May 2011 to October 2013 was paid to the ZDA director general without deducting and remitting PAYE to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
A break-down of the earnings showed that the ZDA boss was paid $16, 000 for eight months from May to December in 2011, US$24, 000 was paid from January to December 2012 and another 10 months from January to October 2013 covered a total payment of US$20, 000.
She revealed that although the contract stated that the director general was to be paid the additional monthly income from donor funds, there were no donor funds received during the period May 2011 to October 2013.
“Consequently, the Director General was paid from the ZDA funding received from Government and no taxes were deducted and paid to ZRA,” the report added.
The report said the ZDA owed the ZRA in unremitted statutory obligations totalling K11.8 million as of December 2012, while K48, 576 was owed to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
It added that contrary to financial regulation number 52, 42 payments involving K749, 400 made during the period under review were not supported by relevant documents such as receipts and invoices.
Ms Chifungula said 2, 441 institutions owed NAPSA K1.3 billion in unpaid contributions as at December 2012.
She said the amounts were outstanding for a period of 134 months and that included in this respect were amounts of K785, 540 involving nine institutions that had ceased operations and K1.6 million involving 48 institutions whose locations were unknown.
THE MMD faction led by vice presidents for political affairs and Administration, Michael Kaingu and Brian Chituwo respectively has instructed their lawyers to commence contempt proceedings against party leader, Nevers Mumba.
This is in a matter in which Dr Kaingu and Dr Chituwo had sued MMD deputy national secretary, Chembe Nyangu seeking an injunction restraining Dr Mumba and others from holding the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to elect the national secretary amid political wrangles in party.
The two were on Sunday granted an order restraining the MMD from convening the meeting but Dr Mumba allegedly ignored the court order and held the meeting which saw the election of party presidential spokesperson, Muhabi Lungu as secretary general of the party.
The NEC also resolved that Dr Kaingu and Dr Chituwo be subjected to disciplinary action.
Dr Kaingu and Dr Chituwo had also prayed to the court to order that any acts, decisions and elections done or conducted by the MMD without following laid down procedures were illegal, null and void until the mater was disposed off.
But Dr Mumba on Sunday defended his move contending that he had not been served with any court order.
In an interview yesterday, Dr Kaingu and Dr Chituwo’s lawyer Milner Katolo from Milner Katolo and Associates said he had been instructed by his clients to commence contempt proceedings.
“Our instructions are that we commence contempt proceedings and we are already doing our paper work,” Mr Katolo said.
Mr Katolo said in as far as his clients were concerned, Dr Mumba and his group should not have gone ahead to hold the meeting because a court order was rightfully served on Mr Nyangu, who was sued on behalf of the MMD.
But Mr Nyangu has clarified that he was not present during Sunday’s NEC meeting for fear that he could be cited for contempt.
He said there was an injunction in place which clearly spelt out the consequences of disobeying the court order.
Mr Nyangu said in an interview that no one including the party President and other senior party officials should express ignorance over the injunction granted to two party vice presidents.
” I was not part of that NEC meeting and yet in actual facts I was supposed to chair it, the reason is simple, I wanted to recognize and respect the Court Order, I don’t want to be part of further consequences of disobeying the injunction, all senior party officials were informed I went there personally,” Mr Nyangu said.
GOVERNMENT has demanded for the involvement of more locally produced goods as opposed to foreign goods in business engagement between the mines and local suppliers.
Vice-President Guy Scott said Government was concerned that while a lot of suppliers to the mines were locals ones, most of the goods involved in their business with the mines were foreign.
Dr Scott said Government remained committed to ensuring that the local content programme, which sought to promote the interest of local suppliers and contractors succeeded.
“It has turned out that suppliers are Zambians but the actual goods are foreign coming from countries like South Africa.
“We have made ourselves dependent on foreign goods and this way, we are not getting the spin-offs from the mining industry benefiting the locals,” Dr Scott said.
He said this in Kitwe yesterday when he opened a two-day Mining Copperbelt Trade and Expo conference held at Mist Gardens.
Dr Scott said it was a pity that even with Government’s emphasis on local content, most of the goods involved were still foreign.
The vice-president reiterated Government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the mining industry stressing that the nation ought to be top in the region in mining.
[pullquote]“It has turned out that suppliers are Zambians but the actual goods are foreign coming from countries like South Africa. We have made ourselves dependent on foreign goods and this way, we are not getting the spin-offs from the mining industry benefiting the locals,” Dr Scott said.[/pullquote]
Dr Scott, however, pointed out the need for mining firms to operate within the framework of the law in aspects of environmental requirements and payments of statutory obligations.
On the aspect of monitoring mining operations, Dr Scott said Government had the right to know what was taking place in the mines because it had the obligation to protect the interests of employees.
The vice-president expressed happiness with the high level of participation at the trade exhibition programme saying it was a good indication that the Zambian market was attracting great interest from international investors.
And co-organizer for the conference, David Asdown said the idea for staging the trade exhibition was to create a platform for business linkages for players in the mining industry.
He said mining trade and expo conference had attracted over 90 exhibitors which included both local and international.
Dr Scott’s entourage comprised of Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister, Christopher Yaluma, Home Affairs minister, Ngosa Simbyakula and Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge.
An aerial view of the funeral service of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Gabriel Namulambe’s late daughter and two grandchildren at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
A TWENTY-six-year old pharmacist has appeared in a Lusaka magistrate court facing five counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Angela Namulambe, a daughter to deputy foreign affairs minister, Gabriel yesterday appeared before Lusaka magistrate Sheila Mweene for explanation of the charges.
Angela of house number 345 independence avenue in Lusaka is charged with the offence of causing the death of her daughter Jane Chinguta, her younger sister Rose Namulambe, Pauline Ngoma, another Jane Chinguta and Frank Maambwe in December last year.
It is alleged that Angela on December 31, 2013 at Lusaka did cause the death of the five people by driving a motor vehicle, Toyota Vitz registration number ALM 6223 on Kafue road.
Angela is alleged to have been driving in a manner which was dangerous to the public and other road users.
After the charges were read out to her by Ms Mweene, Angela told the court that she understood the charges leveled against her.
Ms Mweene however informed her that she was only appearing for mention because the offences she was facing could only be heard in the high court.
She further explained that Angela would continue appearing before her until such a time when she would receive instructions from the director of public prosecution (DPP) to have her case committed to the high court.
Mr Namulambe also attended the court session. Ms Mweene adjourned the case to May 20, 2014 for mention.
INCARCERATED Lusaka based musician, Cliford Dimba, popularly known as ‘General’ Kanene has appealed to the Supreme Court against both his conviction and 18 years jail sentence for defilement.
Dimba ,27, was on Friday slapped with a jail sentence of 18 years with hard labour by Lusaka high court judge, Chalwe Mchenga for defiling a 14 year old girl.
Mr Justice Mchenga sentenced Dimba after he confirmed his conviction by Lusaka magistrate Rodgers Kaoma who found him guilty of the offence.
He stated that Dimba’s defilement of the girl was premeditated, an action which resulted in him having unlawful sex with a girl under the age of 16.
But Dimba has through one of his defence lawyers, Nicholas Chanda appealed against the conviction and sentence saying both Mr Justice Mchenga and Mr Kaoma erred in law and fact when they convicted and later sentenced his client.
Mr Chanda said it was wrong for the court to convict his client in an event that there was a lacuna of evidence in terms of lack of birth record of the girl.
” The learned trial magistrate in the court below as confirmed by the sentencing court both erred in law and fact when they convicted and later on confirmed the offence of defilement on the ground that there was a lacuna of evidence in terms of lack of birth record of the prosecutrix and/or failure to adduce in Magnetic Image Renaissance. (RMI scan),” Mr Chanda stated.
He said that the court should not have sentenced Dimba on the basis that there was an enrolment register produced to court by the girl’s parents when it should have been the school authorities who should have done so.
Dimba of house number B/02 Msisi Township was charged with the defilement of the girl on January 31, 2012.
He was convicted by Mr Kaoma on February 4, 2014 after he was found guilty of the offence.
Midfielder Chisamba Lungu played the first 61 minutes in 12th placed Ural’s 0-0 home draw against 14th positioned Tom Tomsk.
FRANCE
Midfielder Nathan Sinkala and defender Stopilla Sunzu played the full 90 minutes in third from bottom Sochaux 1-1 home draw against league leaders PSG.
Emmanuel Mayuka was on the bench.
ISRAEL
Defender Emmanuel Mbola played the full 90 minutes for Hapoel Raanana who were held to a 1-1 home draw against Ashdod on Saturday.
First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda has marked his 90th birthday by appreciating all the people who have contributed in shaping his life from his childhood through to the time he ascended to the presidency in 1964.
Speaking this afternoon during the interdenominational thanksgiving service to commemorate his 90th birthday at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Dr Kaunda also appreciated his late wife Mama Betty Kaunda his wife of 66-years for her contribution to his life.
Dr Kaunda says though Mama Betty is late, her contribution to his life, family, Zambia and the world at large lives on.
Dr Kaunda adds that even as the country celebrates 50-years of independence, it is a known fact that Mama Betty Kaunda was a contributor to what Zambia has become.
And Dr Kaunda says in his 90-years; one of his greatness lessons has been that he is not alone, but that God has been there for him.
He has since thanked God for seeing him through and the people of Zambia for being there for him.
And Republic President Michael Sata has hailed Dr Kaunda’s political life, describing it as one premised on his staunch desire and belief for national unity and national building.
President Sata says such staunch desire and belief is attested to by the heroic sacrifice which Dr. Kaunda and other gallant men and women made to ensure Zambians are emancipated both politically and economically.
In a speech read for him by Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda, President Sata notes that even in his retirement Dr. Kaunda’s passion for national unity and building have never been quenched.
The Head of State says such attributes that Dr. Kaunda exhibits are what all Zambians regardless of age, tribe race or creed should aspire to and strive to achieve within the foreseeable future.
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Defence personnel at the church service to commemorate the 90th birthday of First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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Dr Kaunda is flanked by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mkhondo Lungu (left) and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda at the church service to commemorate his 90th birthday at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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Dr Kaunda talks to Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda at the church service to commemorate his 90th birthday at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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A woman dances before handing a present to First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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Dr Kaunda receives a birthday present during a church service to commemorate his 90th birthday at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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A choir sings at the birthday celebration of First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda pose for a photograph with children at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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National assembly Deputy Speaker Mkhondo Lungu (left), First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda listen to a sermon during a church service at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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Former First Lady Dr Maureen Mwanawasa with Mama Chibesa Kankasa at the church service to commemorate the 90th birthday of First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda in Lusaka
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda a church service commemorating his 90th birthday at at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and National assembly Deputy Speaker Mkhondo Lungu sing a hymn at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda n Party leader Cosmo Mumba at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda (far right) leaves Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the company of Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda, Council of Churches in Zambia General Secretary Susana Matale and Cathedral of the Holy Cross Minister in Charge Father Charley Thomas (left) in Lusaka
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First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda shakes hands with opposition People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
Grand Coalition says it will not take part in the proposed constitution Indaba because it will not yield anything positive.
Coalition Spokesperson McDonald Chipenzi said the PF Government has continued to keep the Constitution under lock and key something he said makes the indaba ill~conceived & misplaced.
He observed that government has been insincere on the constitution making process hence making it difficult for stakeholders to believe that the proposed summit will yield anything positive in the absence of the final draft being released.
“The insincerity on the part of the Executive in this process has eroded stakeholders’ confidence and trust hence the reservation by majority stakeholders that there would be no meaningful dialogue on the constitution in the absence of the final draft constitution being released to the Zambian people,” Mr Chipenzi said.
He further said government’s uncompromising stance on engaging in dialogue with stakeholders has dampened the morale for the grand coalition members to participate in the summit without the release of the final draft constitution.
Mr Chipenzi further said the zeal to embrace the spirit of give and take has been dampened as stakeholders do not know the contents of the draft constitution.
“This also has dampen the zeal to embrace the spirit of give and take as there will be nothing to take or give out because we do not know the contents of the final draft constitution.
“Our standpoint is that consensus and unity will only be achieved once government becomes magnanimous and releases the draft constitution to the Zambian people which it has kept under key and lock since December 31, 2013,” Mr Chipenzi added.
He however said the Coalition will continue to call for the Constitution to be released immediately.
The coalition has joined other stakeholders who have shunned the constitution summit proposed by Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes which is slated for 30th April 2014 in Lusaka
Government through the Ministry of Finance has released an update on the usage of the $750 million sovereign bond. In a statement released to the media by public relations officer in the Ministry of Finance, Chilesha Kandeta, the Government also said that the recently issued US$1 Billion Bond at a yield rate of 8.625% is performing above par and currently trading at 8.16%.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia
UPDATE ON USAGE OF THE US$ 750 MILLION SOVEREIGN BOND
Lusaka, Monday, 28th April, 2014. Zambia’s Sovereign Bonds issued in the international capital markets are performing to markets expectations.
Performance of the US$ 750 Million Bond [Issued in September, 2012] – The US$750 Million Bond, which was issued in September 2012 at a yield rate of 5.365% has strengthened over the past one month from a yield of 8.4 % to the 7.44% currently. It is important to note that yield rates fluctuate according to market conditions. This bond is due in 2022. Below are some highlights on the usage of the USD 750 Million Bond as at 31st March, 2014;
1) Kafue Gorge Lower Power Project [ZESCO]: US$186 Million was allocated for this programme. ZESCO is making progress towards implementation of the project. So far, 5, 834 Hectares of land which lies in Senior Chieftainess Nkhomeshya’s area has been secured. The application for title deeds for the entire 11, 563 Hectares of land which is required for the project is awaiting receipt of consent letters from two other Chiefs. Major infrastructure for resettlement of displaced persons has been completed and awaits hand-over. In addition, work towards preparation of a Project Feasibility Study Report by Lahmeyer International GmbH of Germany has advanced.
2) Power Distribution Project [ZESCO]: US$69 Million was allocated for this programme. From the 30 lots under the Power Distribution Project, a total of 12 contracts have been signed while contracts for 10 projects are at various stages of tender. Contracts for 8 projects are yet to go for tender. From the 12 signed contracts, 8 sites have been handed over to contractors and works are ongoing, with the most advanced project at 60% completion.
3) Zambia Railways Limited: Out of the US$ 120 Million allocated to Zambia Railways, progress has been made in the procurement of infrastructure rehabilitation materials, rolling stock, and acquisition of track rehabilitation and maintenance services. 32 track contractors have so far been engaged to undertake track rehabilitation works. This has resulted in the creation of more than 4, 000 jobs.
4) Development Bank of Zambia [DBZ]: The allocation from the US$ 750 Million to DBZ was US$20 Million. DBZ has so far made commitments and disbursements for a total of 25 Small Medium Enterprises. The total amount committed and disbursed to date is US$ 10.3 Million.
5) Ministry of Health: US$ 29 Million was allocated to the health sector for modernisation of the University Teaching Hospital, Livingstone General Hospital, Kitwe General Hospital, and Ndola General Hospital. Structural modernisation works have commenced at the UTH, including reconstruction of the Filter Clinic [Adult Medical Emergency Unit]. The process of tendering and service procurement among the other beneficiary hospitals is progressing well. Bond proceeds allocated to the health sector were also targeted at procurement of specialised equipment for theatre, prosthetics, orthotics, blood transfusion etc.
6) Road Sector: The road sector was allocated US$310 Million of which US$145 Million has been used to repay funds borrowed by the Government for the Lusaka Urban Roads Project [Formula 1] prior to the 2011 general elections. The balance of US$165 Million is for on-going various road maintenance and upgrading works; the Kitwe-Chingola dual carriage way project; and the link Zambia 8000 programme. Different projects are at different levels of positive progress.
Performance of the US$ 1 Billion Bond [Issued in April, 2014] – The recently issued US$1 Billion Bond which was issued at a yield rate of 8.625% is performing above par and currently trading at 8.16%. This good performance is a reflection of investor confidence in the country’s economic performance and in the economic management policies of the Zambian Government, as confirmed by the oversubscription of over 430 % when the bond was issued this month. The bond is due in 2024. The usage of the USD 1 Billion bond is principally targeted at the energy and transport sectors.
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has said the positive performance of Zambia’s Sovereign Bonds is not only an important indicator of the international community’s discernment of our political, social and economic stability, but also an endorsement of Zambia’s consistent and market friendly economic policies.
He added, this is a confirmation that Zambia’s positive image is truly venerated by the international community.
“Our private sector should leverage on this goodwill to get Zambia into a sustainable development trajectory by developing profitable alliances with players in the international community and growing economic empires which will generate more jobs and create wealth opportunities for our people, said Mr. Yamba.
Meanwhile, from domestically generated revenues, the Ministry of Finance last Friday released K168 Million grants to various institutions of government to facilitate their operations and efficient programme implementation. The Treasury has also released K84 Million for road maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction. K20.7 Million was released to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for water and sanitation programmes.
A further K166 Million was released for salaries for civil servants in various government institutions, compensation and awards, and for emoluments for personnel in Zambia’s Missions Abroad. Consistent with government’s objective of strengthening cash and treasury management, all civil servants salaries are on the Direct-Debit and Credit Clearing [DDAC] System. This entails the receipt of salaries by civil servants within 24 hours of release by the Treasury, in accordance with the terms of reference given to various commercial banks through which civil servants get their pay. In this regard, the Treasury expects that all workers should get their salaries with minimal delays.
Of the funds released, K105 Million is for salaries for civil servants, K31 Million for emoluments for staff serving in Zambia’s missions abroad, and K30 Million for cases of compensation and awards administered by the Ministry of Justice.
Issued By:
Chileshe Kandeta
Public Relations Officer MINISTRY OF FINANCE
