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Zamalek, Nkana game back in Cairo

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CAF has ruled that Egyptian clubs Zamalek and Al Ahly play this weekends African Champions League matches in the capital Cairo.

In an official communique issued on Thursday afterrnoon, CAF said that all Cairo-based teams play their respective Champions League second round return legs in the capital city.

Sunday’s CAF Champions League match was initially set for Cairo National Stadium before it was shifted to Alexandria City on Wednesday.

CAF’s decision to order Zamalek to play their match against Nkana in Cairo has cheered the Zambian delegation in Egypt.

“The development is that the game will be played in Cairo. We have not been informed of the stadium but the game is definitely going to be played in Cairo,” said delegation leader Jeff Chipilingu on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Nkana and Zamalek are tied 0-0 from the first leg tie played in Kitwe last Saturday.

The two old rivals are one match away from the 2014 CAF Champions League group stage.

Stop abusing Zambia’s tax payers money and go back to Malawi, HH challenges Judge Chikopa

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Stop abusing Zambia’s tax payers money and go back to Malawi, HH challenges Judge Chikopa
Judge Chikopa -Malawian high Court judge chosen to head the Tribunal
Judge Chikopa -Malawian high Court judge chosen to head the Tribunal

United Party for National development president Hakainde Hichilema has challenged Judge Lovemore Chikopa to stop abusing Zambia’s tax payers money and go back to Malawi.

Speaking at a press briefing today Mr Hichilema accused Judge Chikopa of being appointed to lead a tribunal to probe some high court judges because he is related to president Sata and benefiting from plunder of the nation’s resources.

He said the Judge should go back and sort out cases in his own country as his stay in the country is a cost to the public.

He said Judge Chikopa has been living a luxurious life at the expense of poor Zambians and that the money which is being used to keep him in the country can be served or used to buy ARVs which have run out again.

He appealed to the moral conscious of Judge Chikopa saying: “the judge should use his moral conscious and return to his country were he can help sort out cases.”

Judge Chikopa was appointed by republican president Michael Sata to head a tribunal to probe three high Judges for professional misconduct but the judges blocked the proceeding through an appeal in the supreme court.

Mr Hichilema further advised president Sata to stop appointing tribunals that did not produce any tangible results and concentrate on ensuring that food prices and other commodities are reduced so that people can afford to live a decent life.

The UPND president called on republican president to make reducing of the cost of living his priority.

Mr Hichilema said it is a painful realization to many Zambians that the things they voted for, among them cheaper cost of living, have not been fulfilled almost 3years after the PF took over office.

He said the high cost of living which people in the country are experiencing can be avoided if the president Sata lead government can prioritize and channel their efforts towards certain areas of the economy such as creation of employment for the youths and improving the farmer input support program among other things.

He observed that families in the country can not be having one meal a day if good leadership was put in office.

Meanwhile Mr Hichilema has called on people in the country to unity for a common purpose and ensure that the ruling Patriotic Front is removed from office in 2016.

He said too many things have gone wrong in the country due to the poor leadership and governance style of the president and his PF government.

He said people can not continue to suffer in a country that has so much natural resources which can be used to uplift their living standards.

He questioned why food prices should be high when the country is endowed with almost 23percent of the fresh water in Southern African region which he said is under utilized.

He said with good leadership the natural resources of the country can be used to improve the quality of life of the people in the country as well as create wealth for the country.

Two Traditional Leaders supports local integration of Angolans and Rwandis into their chiefdoms

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Two North Western Province traditional leaders have assured Government that they support the local integration of Angolans and Rwandis in their chiefdoms.

Chiefs Mumena and Matebo of the Kaonde people in Zambia’s North western province town of Solwezi, under which Meheba Refugee Settlement falls, re-affirmed their support and commitment to the government led local integration process during a visit to their palaces by Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dr. Peter Mwaba.

Dr. Mwaba was on a familiarization tour of the refugee settlement and the two chiefdom, to meet with refugees and former refugees and check on the progress of local integration program.

Chief Mumena, who was visited first, commended the efforts Government and UNHCR have put in place to move forward the local integration program.

“I am happy with the effort the Government, together with UNHCR, have put in place to move forward this program.

The refugees are our brothers and sisters we have lived with since before 1964, even before I became a chief.

We offered them land in Meheba and we are ready to live with them under the local integration exercise. Even when we have our ceremony, the refugees have been celebrating with us,” said chief Mumena.

The chief observed that there will be no need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to the local integration of Rwandans, as similar procedures applied to Angolans could be applied.

The traditional ruler, however, called on the Government and UNHCR, through the local integration development programme, to continue implementing various developmental activities in his chiefdom, emphasizing on the need for infrastructure development in education,health and agriculture, in order for the local integration of former refugees to be sustainable.

Chief Mumena praised the various developmental activities UNHCR, together with Government, has embarked on so far in his area.

Chief Matebo, who was visited later, echoed the same sentiments, commending the Government and UNHCR for the various developmental activities the two have embarked on in his area, such as bee-keeping, poultry and the construction of a classroom block.

Dr. Mwaba emphasised the critical role the traditional leadership plays in fostering co-existence between the refugees and the host community.

He applauded the support and collaboration Government has received from Chief Mumena and Matebo as it implements the local integration program.

UNHCR Representative in Zambia, Ms Laura Lo Castro also commended the chiefs for their support to her agency and the refugees and former refugees.

She assured that UNHCR, working with Government, will play its advocacy role to lobby donors to support local integration development activities in Western and North Western Provinces.

According to Mr. Joseph Musonda, the Meheba Refugee Officer, 4200 individual former Angolan refugees have applied and have been screened for local integration in the settlement. Once the local integration programme is completed, the eligible applicants will be resettled within Meheba, in an area designated for local integration.

Meanwhile, UNHCR on Tuesday officially handed over a classroom block comprising two classrooms, Headmaster’s office and a strong room at Matebo Primary School in Solwezi, which was constructed with funding from the UN refugee Agency with the support of Donors.

The classroom block, in Chief Matebo’s Chiefdom was constructed at a cost of K209, 000 under the local integration programme, jointly
implemented by the Government of Zambia and UNHCR to support former refugees and to assist hosting communities around Meheba and Mayukwayukwa refugee settlements.

The classroom block was handed over by the UN Refugee Agency Representative to Zambia, Ms Laura Lo Castro to Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dr. Peter Mwaba, who officiated at the ceremony on behalf of the Government.

During the hand-over ceremony, Ms Lo Castro underlined the fact that UNHCR is not a development agency, but within its limited resources tries to assist the local communities in refugee hosting areas.

She expressed her gratitude to the people and Government of the Republic of Zambia for the active support and commitment to hosting former refugeesand refugees.

Ms Lo Castro assured that her agency will advocate to ensure various developmental activities are implemented in refugee-hosting-areas, by lobbying donors and other development stakeholders that support the local integration program.

The request to UNHCR to assist with the construction of the classroom block at Matebo Primary School was made by the residents of Matebo, during consultation undertaken by the Government and UNHCR at the start of the process of local integration of former refugees in 2012.

UNHCR is currently funding various projects – such as poultry, bee-keeping,fish ponds and irrigation projects – in Chief Mumena and Matebo in Solwezi and Chief Mwene Mutondo in Kaoma.

he Permanent Secretary thanked UNHCR for assisting the government by funding the construction of the classroom block, which will increase the capacity at the school and the success rate of students from both communities of former refugees and Zambians.

Zambia currently hosts 53, 019 people of concern mainly from Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia.

Northern MMD not for convention calls

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The Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) in the Northern Province have rejected calls for a convention.

Provincial Information Secretary Cephas Bwalya says that the party in the province was not interested in having a convention as the party was intact.

Mr. Bwalya said the statement by the party’s Vice President Brian Chituwo that the MMD is a weak and slowly dying due to leadership failures was not true.

The Information Secretary said this in a statement availed to ZANIS in Kasama District today.

He said the opposition party in the area was still going strong contrary to suggestions by Dr. Chituwo.

He said the party is intact and there are no wrangles in the Northern Province as the Provincial Executive Committee is behind the current leadership.

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy has in the recent past been faced party wrangles as members of the party have expressed a vote of no confidence for the current leadership and have called for a convention to elect new leaders in the party.

Opposition UPND youths notify of planned peaceful demo on Friday

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The United Party for National Development (UPND) youths in Mazabuka District have notified the police over their intentions to hold peaceful demonstrations over the delayed release of the draft constitution.

The opposition party’s youths have appealed for a police permit to enable them carry out the demonstrations on Friday this week.

This is contained in a letter addressed to Mazabuka police officer in charge dated 20th March 2014 and made available to ZANIS in Mazabuka today.

The opposition UPND youths are seeking permission to enable them hold the demonstrations that are aimed at pressing government to give a clear road map on the constitution.

In a letter signed by District Youth Chairperson, Pelekelo Mwendabai, the UPND said they intend to do their demonstrations by way of marching from Nakambala approved school ground passing through the Central Business District to the community radio station.

The youths indicated that after the match past, they intend to hand over their petition to the office of the District Commissioner for onward transmission to the relevant government authorities.

“The proceeding will start at 08:00 hours matching from Katombora ground to the radio station thereafter the youths will go to the D.C’s office where the petition will be handed over to him (and) the demonstration will end at 16:00 hours.

The youths further said that they would be grateful if their application will be considered by the police in the area to enable them demonstrate over the constitution which they said was theirs.

However, majority of youths from Mazabuka Central Constituency said they will not be part of the planned demonstrations that their colleagues at the District level are intending to engage in.

The youths who preferred anonymity said they do not want to be used by senior party officials who have paid those from the District to enable them carry out the demonstrations.

They said they were aware of some senior party officials who have paid the youth leadership at the district level money to enable them carry out the demonstration saying as youths in the constituency they will not be part and parcel of the planned demonstration.

When contacted for a comment Mazabuka Central police officer Commanding Serah Muyoba who confirmed receipt of the application letter from the UPND said the police are however still studying the matter before a response could be given.

Ms.Muyoba however referred all queries to Southern Province police commissioner Mary Chikwanda who declined to issue any statement on the matter.

ZANIS

President Sata calls for restoration of social welfare societies

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President Sata calls for restoration of social welfare societies
President Michael Sata receives an affidavit from newly appointed Community Development Mother and Child Deputy Minister Ingrid Mpande at State House
President Michael Sata receives an affidavit from newly appointed Community Development Mother and Child Deputy Minister Ingrid Mpande at State House

President Michael Sata has directed Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Emerine Kabanshi to revamp social welfare societies in the country.

President Sata noted with regret that social welfare societies were currently non-existence and wondered what the Ministry of Community Development was doing about it.

He said this when he swore in newly appointed Community Development Deputy Minister Ingrid Mphande at State House today.

Mrs. Mphande replaces Jean Kapata who has since been elevated to a full cabinet portfolio as Minister of Tourism and Arts.

The President recalled that when he was a young man, Europeans had set up welfare associations even in the villages.

He further stated that when he was Governor of Lusaka, he and his team provided welfare in practically every township which he said were still there but ‘dead’.

“When I was Governor of Lusaka, we provided welfare in practically every township. They are there but they are dead. What are you doing? But am giving you this woman (Ingrid Mphande), she represents a rural constituency. Can we revamp those welfare halls,” the President said.

And speaking to journalists in an interview, Mrs. Mphande said she was humbled and thankful to President Sata for appointing her to serve in his government.

She pledged to execute her duties diligently and in the most effective manner saying she will do everything possible to ensure women were empowered in order to take them to a level that was socially acceptable.

Mrs. Mphande also pledged to uplift the welfare of all vulnerable people in communities to bring them to the standard that were good and conducive.

President Michael Sata (second from left) talks to Vice President Guy Scott (left) as newly appointed Community Development Mother and Child Deputy Minister Ingrid Mpande and Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala (right) look on at State House
President Michael Sata (second from left) talks to Vice President Guy Scott (left) as newly appointed Community Development Mother and Child Deputy Minister Ingrid Mpande and Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala (right) look on at State House

HH predicts a militarized Zambian society under PF

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Hakainde Hichilema addressing the media
Hakainde Hichilema addressing the media

Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has charged that Zambia will be turned into a highly militarized life style society by the time the ruling Patriotic Fronts term of office comes to an end.

Mr. Hichilema said his prediction is based on the increased brutality being allegedly exhibited by the Zambia Police and the PF cadres.

Mr. Hichilema pointed out the killing of a vendor by a Police officer yesterday, 26th of March in Mazabuka. Rabison Chitalu a street vender of house No 493 was fatally beaten by a police officer for allegedly insulting him.Mr.Hichilema also pointed the invasion of a privately owned farm land in Lusaka West on Sunday by PF cadres as some of the recent indication of increased brutality in the country.

[pullquote]Mr. Hichilema also wondered what has happened to the Judge Chikopa tribunal[/pullquote]

Speaking at media briefing in Lusaka this morning, the UPND leader observed that the alleged brutality being exhibited by the Zambia Police is not the fault of the Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani and her command.

He said this is because the Ms. Libongani and her command have been allegedly turned into tools of the ruling PF to brutalize innocent citizens.

And Mr. Hichilema has wondered what has happened to the Judge Chikopa tribunal when other the two tribunals that have been recently appointed by President Michael Sata have completed their investigations and submitted their reports.

He said it is does not make sense for President Sata to continue appointing unnecessary tribunals at a huge cost to the country when the cost of living has gone up.

Mr. Hichilema advised President Sata to concentrate on addressing challenges being faced by the people in the country and also keep it in mind that State House is not a place where people just sleep but a work place station.

Intercape bus passenger’s lab tests results negative

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Intercape-bus

Kafue District Medical Officer Wyson Munga said the laboratory investigations carried out on intercape bus passengers for suspected food poisoning indicated negative results.Dr.Munga revealed that both the stool and blood samples had no toxins and Salmonella or Shigella species, to indicate food poisoning.

In February of this year Health authorities intercepted an international passenger bus from South Africa to Lusaka after diarrhoea broke out among passengers.The Intercape Bus was intercepted by Chirundu district environmental officers after a report from some of the passengers.The Kafue district hospital attended to 18 of the 31 passengers who were complaining of abdominal upsets.

Preliminary investigations had revealed that the passengers were given some food and drinks by the bus crew and some samples were taken to Lusaka Food and Drugs Lab for suspected poisoning.These have however been found to be negative.

Dr. Munga has called on long distance transporters to install hygiene and sanitary facilities on their buses.
He cited urinary, hand washing facilities ,disinfectants among others and other facilities and ensure that they serve their passengers with warm food to prevent breakouts of diarrhoeal and other related diseases.

Dr. Munga has further urged passengers to observe hygiene when buying food along the way.

Meanwhile, Dr Munga has disclosed that 1,492 girls have been vaccinated in the on going HPV second phase vaccinations for grade 4 girls and 10yrs for non school going girls.
The doctor says the exercise was progressing well as the district has done 39% of the target within three days and is anticipating going beyond the target which is vaccinating 3,962 girls by the end of the exercise.

Three Barotseland National youth league activists say their detention is illegal

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File:Mongu residents listening to the proceeding to the Barotse National Council in Limulunga Royal Village
File:Mongu residents listening to the proceeding to the Barotse National Council in Limulunga Royal Village

Three Barotseland National youth league activists have charged that their continued trial and detention by the Zambian courts was crime against humanity contrary to genocide Act of 1948 as well as the UN security council number 75.

Appearing before Mongu resident magistrate Julius Malata sitting in as Kaoma magistrate were Nayoto Mwenda 32, Boris Muziba 36 and Wasilota Sikwibele 33 who are charged with the offence of publication of false news with intent to alarm and cause fear contrary to the laws of Zambia.

The trio applied that the matter be transferred to an independent and impartial court as opposed to a Zambian court because Zambia cannot be a complainant and prosecutor in the matter.

The activists suggested that the case be transferred to the Commonwealth Court based in the United Kingdom because it involves two sovereign states of Zambia and Royal Government of Barotseland.

Accused number 3 Sikwibele Wasilota reminded the court that time and again he has stated that he is not Zambian but a Barotseland national hence the Zambian government cannot subject him to its laws and court systems.

In passing ruling over the application of the three accused persons, Magistrate Malata said the three were free to pursue the matter at their own accord and not through the court they were appearing before.

Mr Malata told the trio that Zambia has its own judicial systems and it is not answerable to the common wealth court adding that Zambians and non- Zambians can appear in any court as long as the offence has been committed in Zambia.

He denied to grant the three Barotseland activists bail as the trio maintained that they cannot be tried by the Zambian courts and prayed to the court to grant them bail so that they pursue their case to the common wealth courts based in the United Kingdom.

And state witness, a police detective inspector Morrice Siyampule 37, testified in court that the trio had published flyers suggesting one Clement Wainyae Sinyinda and the Zambian government were plotting a military coup to depose the legitimate royal Barotseland government.

Meanwhile, the trio declined to ask the state witness questions after he was being cross-examined by the state prosecutors citing that it was a wrong court and platform for them.

And public prosecutor Susan Mwakalombe objected to the bail application as it will be difficult for police officers to call the trio for the continuation of the matter as they claimed not to be Zambians but appearing before a Zambian criminal court.

Mrs Mwakalombe applied to the court for the matter to be adjourned to April 8, 2014 for the continuation of trial meanwhile the trio are remanded in Kaoma state prisons.

Immediately after the court session, the Linyungandambo sympathisers clad in blue T-shirts written Barotseland ki naha ( meaning Barotseland is a nation) and red berets started singing solidarity songs and denounced the government in front of the court.

Drunken police officer shoots man on both feet

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Lusaka Police Chief, Joyce Kasosa
Joyce Kasosa

A drunken Police officer of Masaiti police station on Sunday evening shot and injured a member of the neighborhood watch following a dispute that erupted between the two whilst on duty.

Constable Elvis Sepiso was reported to have been drinking whisky whilst on duty when he engaged in an argument with Pascal Chanda, reaching for a gun and threatened to shot him.

Copperbelt Police Commissioner Joyce Kasosa confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Luanshya,saying after a struggle, the officer fired three bullets shooting Chanda on both feet.

Ms. Kasosa noted that the victim who is in a stable condition has been admitted to Masaiti district hospital and that the officer has been arrested and will appear in court soon.

She has since urged police officers to maintain maximum discipline and abide by police regulations during the execution of their duty.

The Copperbelt police chief further warned that officers who break the law and divert from their role of upholding security and safeguarding live and property would not be exempted as they would be charged accordingly and face the law.

Kabimba should be probed over the K200 million paid to his law firm by the Justice Ministry-Kapita

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Kabimba should be probed over the K200 million paid to his law firm by the Justice Ministry-Kapita
PF SG and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba
PF SG and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba

UPND vice president Richard Kapita has said that Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba should be prosecuted if it is established that he influenced the payment of K200 million to his law firm by his ministry when it was not on the list of beneficiaries.

According to Auditor-General’s report Kabimba’s firm WM Kabimba and Company was paid the money without justification as it was not among beneficiaries.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry Joseph Akafumba was at pains to explain how Kabimba’s company found itself on the list of beneficiaries when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee a fortnight ago.

Akafumba also had difficulties to state whether or not Kabimba influenced payment of the money.

He told the committee that the ministry paid Kabimba’s law firm because the payment was long overdue and no other company was affected by the payment.

But Auditor General Anna Chifungula interjected and said it was not true that the payment did not affect other payments, especially companies which were on the waiting list for a long time.

And UPND vice president Richard Kapita said that the payment was irregular and it was therefore important to investigate whether or not Kabimba had influence over the matter.

Kapita said that Kabimba ought to have known that his law firm was not on the list of immediate beneficiaries and allowing such payments to go through was total abuse of office, a matter which if prosecuted could send him to prison,

He said that it was not true that the Ministry of Justice effected the payment to Kabimba’s law firm without bowing down to pressure from the head of the ministry when the company was not on the list of companies to be paid.

Kapita said that Zambians had the right to know whether or not Kabimba did or did not influence the payment of money to his company.

“It is a challenge I am posing to the Anti- Corruption Commission and other security agencies to help Zambians know the truth by investigating this matter. We are not witch hunting Kabimba but the general feeling is that Kabimba could have influenced the payment to his company,” said Kapita.

Ignore the Zambia Police warning over the prayer meetings-Elias Chipimo

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Ignore the Zambia Police warning over the prayer meetings-Elias Chipimo
National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo delivers a speech during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambian constitution
National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo delivers a speech during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambian constitution

Opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP) President, Elias Chipimo Junior, has urged stakeholders championing the release of the final draft constitution to ignore the Zambia Police warning over the prayer meetings.

The Zambia Police has warned that the law will take its course and visit all churches using their church buildings for campaigns to push for the release of the first draft Constitution.

Mr. Chipimo said that the PF government will try to intimidate the relevant stakeholders championing for the speedy enactment of the new republican constitution, by using the Police but that this will not succeed.

Mr. Chipimo stated that genuine opposition political parties, CSOs, Church mother Bodies and other concerned stakeholders have already drawn an agenda and that they know what they want.

He explained that according to the current constitution under Article 1 sub article 2, power resides in the people and that the people will do anything within the limit of their powers.

Mr. Chipimo noted that there is nothing unconstitutional for people to gather in church and pray over issues affecting them.

Meanwhile, the Grand Coalition championing the speedy enactment of the new Republican constitution has vowed that no amount of intimidation from either government or the Police will stop it from championing its cause.

Coalition Spokesperson MacDonald Chipenzi yesterday said that the agenda has been set and that the coalition is resolved to ensuring that it puts the necessary pressure on government to deliver what it promised the people of Zambia.

Mr Chipenzi has since revealed that Coalition will soon be in Southern Province to hold various prayer meetings for the release of the final draft constitution after successfully holding similar meetings in Chipata.

He has since urged residents of Southern Province to turn out in numbers and attend the prayer meetings.

And Chipenzi said that the fight for the release of the final draft constitution is a fight for all Zambians.

Mr. Chipenzi said that it is important that Zambians turn to God for intervention in the fight for a people driven constitution, stating that with divine intervention the final draft constitution will be released.

He stated that the meetings being held in churches on the constitution mean no harm.

Revocation of SI 33 and 55 has raised questions-Mbita Chitala

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Mbita Chitala
Dr Mbita Chitala

Political activist Mbita Chitala says the revocation of Statutory Instruments 33 of 2012 and 55 of 2013 has raised questions from which government ought to draw lessons.
Dr. Chitala says much as the decision by government to revoke the two regulations is a welcome courageous and progressive move, the questions that arise following this measure are still crucial in the management of the country’s economy.

Dr. Chitala says this is because government cannot simply be reversing policies abruptly and continues running the country as if nothing has happened.

He says the indication of such moves is that government has not been has not been consultative in managing the country’s economy.

He points out that in the first place the idea of introducing exchange controls was a miscalculation from the very beginning which has resulted in a weakened kwacha.

Dr. Chitala says going forward he hopes the Patriotic Front (PF) government will be more consultative in the implementation of public policies as opposed to bulldozing its way on key economic policies.

He has told Qfm news in a telephone interview that government should also take a leaf from the turn of events that have led to the revocation of the two Statutory Instruments and avoid a similar approach in the current constitutional making process as it might lead to yet another disaster.

The long awaited Chipata –Mchinji railway line finally operational

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A GOODS train shutting on Chipata -Mchinji railway to signify the operationalise of the long awaited project which was conceived during the UNIP regime.Here a goods lomocotive with wagons captured in Chipata1
A GOODS train shutting on Chipata -Mchinji railway to signify the operationalise of the long awaited project which was conceived during the UNIP regime.Here a goods lomocotive with wagons captured in Chipata

THE Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has announced the commencement of the operation of the long awaited Chipata –Mchinji railway line project in Chipata District of Eastern Province.

ZRL Nacala Director Vyonsi Manda announced the development at a media briefing held in his office in Chipata on Tuesday that the project which had stalled for over three decades was now operational.

Mr Manda said the project has commenced following the arrival of a locomotive and 51 wagons at the station.

He said a locomotive would be shutting with 51 wagons which would be laden with goods such as fertiliser and tantium ore to and from the deepest port in Sourthern Africa, Nacala in Mozambique.

He said the first route to Nacala Port would be released in the next two weeks adding that the speed would be 30 kilometres per hour.

Mr Manda said locomotive would be taking four days to reach the final destination from either side.

“The dream which was conceived over 30 years now has come to pass and we are thankful to the support being given to the Chipata-Mchinji railway line by the Government and cooperating partners,” he said.

Mr Manda said ZRL was working towards bringing199 wagons including five other locomotives into Chipata by the end of this year so as to create space for business in the transport sector.

He said the route was very secure and said each trip it would be guarded by the heavy security in the three countries of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

“From Mchinji to Nayuchi border, the wagons will be escorted by the heavy security from Malawi and from Nayuchi to Nacala port, the security personnel will be involved in escorting,” he said.

He said the customers have also made arrangements of warehouses where their cargo could be stored adding that the railways have also enough space to store cargo for the customers.

He appealed to the customers to give business to the railway sector after the operationalised of the project.

Mr Manda urged people along the railway line to keep away their children from the railway line to avoid loss of lives during the movements.

The idea of a Mchinji-Chipata railway was conceived in 1982 as part of a bilateral project between Zambia and Malawi and the Malawi section of the railroad was completed in 1984, though Zambia did not actively pursue the project until 2006.

A GOODS train shutting on Chipata -Mchinji railway to signify the operationalise of the long awaited project which was conceived during the UNIP regime.Here a goods lomocotive with wagons captured in Chipata 1
A GOODS train shutting on Chipata -Mchinji railway to signify the operationalise of the long awaited project which was conceived during the UNIP regime.Here a goods lomocotive with wagons captured in Chipata 1

Women for Change Executive Director commends Sata for replacing Masebo with a fellow woman

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Jean Kapata
Jean
Kapata

Women for Change Executive Director Emily Sikazwe has commended republican president Michael Sata for replacing former Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo with a fellow woman Jean Kapata.

Speaking in an interview Ms Sikazwe said women were worried that the president would appoint a man to replace Ms Masebo but are happy that another woman will take up her position.

“Our worry as a movement was that women were being pushed out of government and that they will be a male Tourism minister so we are glade that madam Masebo has been replaced by a fellow woman and this is important for gender equality.” She said.

She further expressed confidence that the newly appointed minister will perform her duties to the president’s expectations and bring pride to the women across the country as she has always done in the past.

And Ms Sikazwe has advised Ms Kapata to avoid what she termed as the ” patriarchal hand that pushes women out of positions of decision making” by making them do things they shouldn’t be doing.

She urged Ms Kapata to ensure that she avoids undue influence from men who would want to push her towards doing things which are undesirable to the appointing authority.

“All I can say is avoid the patriarchal hand that makes you do what you shouldn’t be doing.” Ms Sikazwe said.

President Sata today elevated Ms Kapata who was serving as Community Development Deputy Minister to full cabinet ministerial position to take up the position left by former minister Sylvia Masebo who was fired recently.

Ms Sikazwe has since congratulated Ms Kapata for being appointed Tourism and Arts Minister.

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