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United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has accused government of intimidating him.
Mr.Hichilema told Qfm News that he feels intimidated by government’s move to send Zambia Air Force (ZAF) helicopters to fly over his ranch and house located between Batoka and Choma in Southern province.
Mr. Hichilema said he received information soon after the Livingstone Magistrate Court discharged him yesterday in a case in which he was accused of proposing violence during the by-election in 2012 that two ZAF helicopters were hovering low over his ranch with people taking overview pictures and a video recording of the premises.
Mr. Hichilema has since wondered what the ZAF helicopters were looking for at his ranch premises.
The UPND leader says the move by the Government to send ZAF helicopters to take pictures of his ranch amounts to committing a crime against a citizen.
President Michael Sata with Vice President Guy Scott ( left), newly appointed Ambassador Designate to Egypt Ali Simwinga, ten-year-old Blessings Mumba, the grandson of newly appointed Commissioner of Police at Sate House Godwin Phiri (not in picture), Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and newly appointed public policy specialists Pride Kabuswe and Robert Kasezya (right) at State House today
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has said Zambia already has a Constitution in place and that public officers should not be part of the debate about a new Constitution since they swore to uphold the current document.
“Don’t talk about the Constitution,ignore those who are talking about the Constitution every day. We already
have a Constitution in place which you swore to uphold,” the President said.
The President was speaking at State House this morning during the swearing ceremony of former Kitwe Town Clerk Ali Simwinga as Zambia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Godwin Phiri as Commissioner of Police at State House and Pride Kabuswe and Robert Kasezya as public policy specialists, policy analysis and coordination division at Cabinet Office.
The President insisted that there is no Constitutional crisis in Zambia.He said Zambia already had a Constitution in place.
“If there was no Constitution, we would not be here. We are running three arms of Government under the same Constitution some people want to keep talking about,” he said.
Meanwhile the Law Association of Zambia has demanded the release of the draft constitution by whoever is holding on to the document.
LAZ president James Banda whose association is one of the conveners of the Oasis Forum told Qfm in an interview that they have been able to confirm that the technical committee has finished its work hence government should release the document.
Mr. Banda said that it will be irresponsible for the constitution making process to fail at this stage considering the time and resources invested in the process.
He says responsible people should behave in a responsible manner, stating whoever is holding on to the document should release it instead of having scenarios where the document has to be leaked through the media.
Mr. Banda added that government should release the draft constitution and state clearly what the next step is in the constitution making process.
He stated that the next stage of the constitution making process should not be a mystery as government had promised to inform the Zambian people of next step once the technical committed had completed its work.
The LAZ president added that as the draft constitution is being released, the referendum commission should be put in place stating that the Electoral Commission of Zambia can be converted into referendum commission so that they start preparing for the referendum.
Mr. Banda is optimistic that the country will have a new constitution as long as Zambians do not relent in demanding for their constitution.
Police officers bundle a minibus driver into the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) patrol car after police officers were involved in a high speech chase with the minibus driver along Freedom Way in Lusaka in Lusaka
2.
An angry crowd surrounds the RTSA patrol car
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The angry mob smashes the rear wind shield of the patrol car in the confusion that ensued
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An onlooker checks the RTSA patrol car after the crowd smashed its rear wind shield in the fracas
5.
President Michael Sata receives an affidavit from newly appointed Public Policy Specialist Robert Kasezya during the swearing in ceremony at State House today
6.
President Michael Sata receives an affidavit from newly appointed Commissioner to Police at State House Godwin Phiri during the swearing in ceremony at State House
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President Michael Sata receives an affidavit from newly appointed Ambassador Designate to Egypt Ali Simwinga during the swearing in ceremony at State House today
8.
President Michael Sata receives an affidavit from newly appointed Public Policy Specialist Pride Kabuswe during the swearing in ceremony at State House today
9.
President Michael Sata with Vice President Guy Scott ( left), newly appointed Ambassador Designate to Egypt Ali Simwinga, ten-year-old Blessings Mumba, the grandson of newly appointed Commissioner of Police at Sate House Godwin Phiri (not in picture), Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and newly appointed public policy specialists Pride Kabuswe and Robert Kasezya (right) at State House today
10.
GBM supporters at woodlands police station
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GBM supporters at woodlands police station
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GBM arrives at woodlands police station
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GBM supporters hold placards at woodlands police station
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Former Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba and his wife make their way through the muddy potholes at Woodlands police station
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Former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba and his wife at woodlands police station
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Police keeping a wary eye on GBM supporters at woodlands police station
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Former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba
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CYCORP Managing Director, Kingsley Nkonde, checks some Samsung mobile phones at Mobile City Shop in Chipata. This was when the Eastern Province Intellectual Property Unit (IPU) in conjunction with Samsung Brand owners checked for counterfeit products
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SAMSUNG South Africa Field Engineers, Richard Lawrenson (l) and Neville Sibiya (r ) inspect the Samsung mobile phones that were confiscated by the Eastern Province Intellectual Property Unity (IPU) in Chipata to certify the genuine ones among the many counterfeit Samsung phones
20.
AN officer from the Zambia Police Intellectual Property Unit in Eastern Province and Samsung Zambia representative, Jonathan Nsama (r), display some counterfeit Samsung phones at Chipata Central Police Station last Thursday. This was during the certification to determine the genuine phones from the counterfeit ones.
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Central Province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale paying homage to Chief Chamuka of the Lenje people in Chisamba District when she paid a courtesy call on the traditional leader recently.
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Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo (left) and Lusaka District Commissioner Ashwell Kampengele watch Ngoni warriors perform the Ngoma war dance at the launch of the N’cwala traditional ceremony festivities in Lusaka on Saturday
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Ngoni warriors perform the traditional Ngoma dance during the launch of the N’cwala traditional ceremony festivities at Arcades shopping center in Lusaka on Saturday
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Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo is dressed on traditional Ngoni head gear during the launch of the N’cwala traditional ceremony festivities at Arcades shopping center in Lusaka on Saturday
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nformation Minister Mwansa Kapeya ( l ) with newly appointed Muchinga Permanent Secretary Dr. Bwalya Ngándu ( r ) and Isoka DC ( C ) inspecting the K15 million Skills Training Institute in Isoka District in Muchinga Province whose construction has just been completed.
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From Far left: Bank of Zambia Governor Michael Gondwe, Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda and and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) secretary and chief executive Wala Chabala ( far right) at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone
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Construction of Robert Makasa University in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province
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Construction of Robert Makasa University in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province
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Construction of Robert Makasa University in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province
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An Egyptian contractor, Flame Construction Company constructing Robert Makasa University in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province says it will hand over the project under phase One in three months time.
Twaala Restaurant has moved to Long Acres and inaugurating this year with a live performance by the new song bird Wezi on Valentines Day .
We asked the chef and owner Lillian Elidah Daka-Mumba , what is new about Twaala restaurant .
Lillian: Other than we are now located inside Queensmead stadium/Munis we are specialized on steaks and grills . This restaurant has an African feel , and its an intimate place for those who are looking forward to getting away from the noisy restaurants.
Kapa187: There is so much competition in Lusaka ,what makes your restaurant stand out ?
Lillian: Well , for us we want to give our customers warm hospitality ,as much as people want to eat fast and leave , you also have those who want to actually sit down and relax and enjoy a meal with great service and ambiance .
Kapa187: What have you planned for valentines day ?
Lillian : This valentines is special to me , i learned a lot since last years and this year im more prepared and know what to expect, that’s why i chose to give people an extremely private performance and dinner .
Helping his parents make ends meet-A five year old boy selling groundnuts at Mwaiseni bus station in Chingola.
Lately, there have been statements by senior government officials commenting on the state of debt levels in the country. The comments have partly been assurances that the current debt stock is sustainable.
Various sections of society have expressed fears that the country’s debt stock is increasing to levels that may become unsustainable. While the government has made several assurances that the nation’s debt levels are within manageable limits, it is important that the government is seen to contract and manage debt in ways that do not potentially worsen the livelihoods of the majority poor.
If debt being contracted is not prudently invested on high return projects to enable debt repayment without compromising social sector spending, then debt contraction even in the current sustainable debt levels is a source of concern. Increasing debt levels now also imply higher future taxes on the already heavily taxed workers and consequently a higher cost of living.
The cost of living for the month of January 2014 as measured by the JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket for an average family of five living in Lusaka stood at K 3,605.01. This shows an increase of K66.47 compared to the month of December 2013 when the basic needs basket stood at K3, 538.54.The increase in the basic needs basket is mainly due to the rise in the cost of Kapenta. Overall, there has been a significant increase of K40.50 in the price of Kapenta from K69.71 to K110.21 per Kilogramme in December 2013 and January 2014, respectively. This signifies an increase of about 58%. The leap in the price of Kapenta may be attributed to the fishing ban. Considering that majority of the households consume this food item, this significant rise in the price can negatively affect household food security. The price of beef has also showed a slight increase of about K3.
That a considerable rise in the cost of basic needs has been recorded at the beginning of the implementation of the 2014 budget is cause for concern. This is in consideration of the fact that government is likely to borrow more given parliament’s approval to increase the borrowing threshold from K20 Billion to K35 Billion.
Increased borrowing, especially domestically, during the course of implementing the 2014 budget will not only further increase the national debt stock but also potentially increase inflation which may burden the already struggling poor households.
Therefore, caution must be taken to ensure that debt levels do not skyrocket. Care must be taken to ensure that first and foremost the 2014 budget is managed within the already high projected deficit level of 6.5% of GDP to avoid financing deficit through debt contraction. Further, the JCTR urges the government to manage any such deficit, which may arise, in such a way that the majority poor’s ability to afford basic necessities is not worsened than it already is.
JCTR BASIC NEEDS BASKET: LUSAKA
January 2014
(A) COST OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE IN LUSAKA
Commodity
Kwacha
Quantity
Total
Kwacha
Mealie Meal (breakfast)
69.00
2 x 25Kgs
138.00
Beans
18.33
3 Kgs
54.99
Kapenta (dry)
110.21
2 Kgs
220.42
Bream (dry)
69.69
1Kgs
69.69
Beef, mixed cut
30.71
4 Kgs
122.84
Dark green vegetable
2.83
4 Kgs
11.32
Tomatoes
4.99
4 Kgs
19.96
Onion, large
4.61
2 Kgs
9.22
Cooking oil (2.5 Ltrs)
32.86
3 litres
39.43
Bread wheat, refined floor, baked
4.70
1 loaf/day
141.00
Sugar
15.76
6 Kgs
47.28
Milk (fresh)
4.73
4x500ml
18.92
Tea, powder (250g)
11.11
1 Kgs
44.44
Eggs
9.14
2 Units
18.28
Salt
3.68
1Kgs
3.68
Sub Total
959.47
(B) COST OF ESSENTIAL NON-FOOD ITEMS
Charcoal (90Kg bags)
125.00
180 Kgs
250.00
Soap (Lifebuoy/Champion)
3.41
10 Tablets
34.10
Wash soap (Boom)
4.74
4x400g
18.96
Jelly (e.g. Vaseline)
10.48
1x500ml
10.48
Electricity (med. density – fixed)
372.00
372.00
Water & Sanitation (med. cost – fixed)
210.00
210.00
Housing (med. density – 3 bedroom)
1,750.00
1,750.00
Sub Total
2,645.54
Total for Basic Needs Basket
3,605.01
Totals from previous months
Dec 12
Jan 13
Feb 13
Mar 13
Apr 13
May 13
Jun 13
Jul 13
Aug 13
Sep 13
Oct 13
Nov 13
Dec 13
Amount (K)
3,532.10
3,469.68
3,645.44
3,616.18
3,593.60
3,625.20
3,684.46
3,638.42
3,581.13
3,536.69
3,575.37
3,557.81
3,538.54
(C) SOME OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS
Item
Kwacha
Item
Kwacha
Education
Transport (bus fare round trip)
Grades 8-9 (User + PTA/year)
K400.00 – K600.00
Chilenje-Town
K9.00
Grades 10-12 (User + PTA/year)
K650.00 – K1, 300.00
Chelstone -Town
K9.60
School Uniform (grades 8-12)
K90.00 – K200.00
Matero-Town
K8.40
Health (clinic)
Fuel (cost at the pump)
Registration (book)
K3.00 – K5.00
Petrol (per litre)
K9.91
Self referral (Emergency Fee)
K 5.500
Diesel (per litre)
K9.20
Mosquito Net (private)
K30.00 – K120.00
Paraffin (per litre)
K6.83
(D) A COMPARISON OF COSTS (in Kwacha) OF BASIC NEEDS ACROSS ZAMBIA IN JANUARY
Choma Green Eagles coach Justin Chinama says his promoted side should not fear Nkana when the two teams clash in the 2014 FAZ Super League Week One match in Choma.
Eagles, who have made a quick return to the elite league after one season in Division One, hosts the defending champions in one of the league openers on March 15.
Chinama said Nkana is just a team like any other.
He said the Choma outfit will treat Nkana like any other opponent.
“Nkana is a team like any other team so we just have to prepare for them,” Chinama said.
“All the teams in the Super League deserve to be there so there is nothing like underrating or overrating a team we are just the same,” he noted.
Chinama added:”What is important is to push the boys so that they don’t feel that Nkana are something, they are human beings so there is nothing to fear about them.”
And Nkana coach Masauso Mwale predicted a tricky tie against Eagles.
“It is always tricky to play when you face teams from the lower division,” Mwale said.
Part of the remaining infrastructure at Kasaba bay along the shows of Lake Tanganyika
Ng’andu Consulting Limited, the company engaged to work on the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway and Kasaba Bay projects have dismissed allegations by parliamentary Committee on Communications, Transport, Works and Supply chairperson Kapembwa Simbao that they are a bogus contractor.
In a statement, Ng’andu Consultants Managing Director Able Ng’andu said his firm is reputable and has successfully supervised a number of major projects in and around Zambia.
With regards to the Kasaba Bay project, Mr. Ng’andu explained that the works executed at Kasaba Bay are not shoddy works as alleged by Mr. Simbao, saying the executed works are in accordance with the standard specification meeting the requirement of International Civil Aviation Organization.
Mr. Ngandu disclosed that overall, 70% of the works have been completed so far.
He clarified that the said works were suspended due to delayed payments and that the outstanding payment is accruing interest of not less than K200, 000.00 per month.
Mr. Ng’andu however said that his firm has engaged Government to find the way forward as they are ready to go back to site and complete the works as soon as they are paid.
Once completed, the airport will facilitate easy movement of international and local tourists to and from Nsumbu National Park and surrounding areas of Lake Tanganyika.
It will also enhance tourism within and around the Northern Tourism Circuit.
The Law Association of Zambia has demanded the release of the draft constitution by whoever is holding on to the document.
LAZ president James Banda whose association is one of the conveners of the Oasis Forum has told Qfm in an interview that they have been able to confirm that the technical committee has finished its work hence government should release the document.
Mr. Banda states that it will be irresponsible for the constitution making process to fail at this stage considering the time and resources invested in the process.
He says responsible people should behave in a responsible manner, stating whoever is holding on to the document should release it instead of having scenarios where the document has to be leaked through the media.
Mr. Banda adds that government should release the draft constitution and state clearly what the next step is in the constitution making process.
He states that the next stage of the constitution making process should not be a mystery as government had promised to inform the Zambian people of next step once the technical committed had completed its work.
The LAZ president adds that as the draft constitution is being released, the referendum commission should be put in place stating that the Electoral Commission of Zambia can be converted into referendum commission so that they start preparing for the referendum.
Mr. Banda is optimistic that the country will have a new constitution as long as Zambians do not relent in demanding for their constitution.
And Opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) President Sakwiba Sikota has charged that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has no excuse not to pass the Access to Information Bill in the current seating of Parliament which resumed seating yesterday.
Mr. Sikota says this is because the process of enacting the Access to Information legislation has been long outstanding and there should be no further pretext of not passing the bill the current seating of Parliament.
Mr. Sikota has told Qfm News in an interview that failure by the ruling PF to pass the bill will be an indication that government has no political will to enact the law.
And the ULP leader has implored government to prioritize the release of the final draft constitution.
Mr Sikota says this will pave the way for Members if Parliament to start deliberating on the document
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby would like to add its voice to those condemning the actions of some overzealous police officers in Mazabuka.
We are appalled by the brutal beating and harassment of Emily Manyoni of Zambia Compound by the said police officers without due regard of the law.
We must hasten to state that such barbaric actions are not only unacceptable but also a drawback to the progress so far made with regards to the respect and observance of human rights.
By inflicting such harm, the police officers denied Manyoni of her right to be presumed of innocent until proven guilty by the courts of law.
We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police Ms. Stella Libongani to discipline the erring officers and provide the victim with redress through the laid down procedures because it would be unfortunate for the police who are the custodians of the law to condone such illegality.
Further we implore the police command to put in place safeguards that will ensure that such actions are not repeated in future.
As a Civil Society Organisation concerned with the welfare of women, we will not sit idle while the rights of women and other citizens are trampled on with impunity.
BEAUTY KATEBE (MS)
ZAMBIA NATIONAL WOMEN’S LOBBY BOARD CHAIRPERSON
President Sata disembarks from an Emirates plane at the Kenneth Kaunda international airport
United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has maintained that President Micheal Sata went malingering and not on vacation.
Mr. Hichilema has since advised Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba to keep his problems to himself.
Mr.Hichilema told QFM News that Mr. Kabimba does not and will never attract his attention because he has better things to pay attention to.
He said Mr. Kabimba should know that Zambians are not ready to listen to cheap politics when there is so much that government has to do to improve the living standards of the people.
Mr Kabimba was yesterday quoted in Post Newspapers as saying the UPND leader’s ambition to become president will be a seed of his own destruction for failing to account for his insinuations that President Sata was not well and was out for medical treatment.
And Mr. Hichilema has urged Mr Kabimba to help President Sata respond to concerns of the civil society, the church and the Zambian people over the release of the draft constitution than diverting attention from real issues.
He said the PF government should pay attention to the high cost of living in the country which has become unacceptable.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (left) interacting with his lawyer Jack Mwiimbu
THE Livingstone Magistrate’s Court yesterday discharged United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema in a case in which he was charged with proposing violence after the State decided to discontinue the matter.
Magistrate Chinkashi Chilingala informed Hichilema that the state had received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to enter a nolle prosequi against him pursuant to Section 81 of the Criminal Procedure Code Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Chilingala, however, told Hichilema that the discontinuation of the case does not stop the State from starting fresh criminal proceedings against him.
“I hereby discharge you accordingly, you may stand down,” Mr Chilingala said.
This is in a case in which Hichilema was facing one count of proposing violence.
Addressing journalists at the court premises, Mr Hichilema said there is need to review the justice system.
Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda has told Parliament that Government has saved K5.5 billion following the removal of subsidies on fuel, maize and fertiliser.
Mr Chikwanda was responding to a written question by Senga Hill MP (MMD) Kapembwa Simbao who wanted to know how much money Government has saved from the removal of subsidies.
“The Patriotic Front government believes that investing public resources in tangible projects that promote sustainable livelihoods and take people out of the poverty cycle is the most effective way of mitigating our people from economic dislocationsm including the removal of subsidies,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda explained that the money saved as a result of the removal of subsidies has been channelled to health, education and other social sectors.
He allayed fears that the removal of the subsidies would create food insecurity.
But Mafinga MP (MMD) Catherine Namugala said the removal of subsidies on maize would make mealie-meal prices go up resulting in hunger.
Who will be the 2013 Zambia footballer of the year?
This year’s winner will be crowned on Wednesday evening at Moba Hotel in Kitwe.
All three players chasing this year’s honour have never won the award but have all recently made notable impact for country and at their respective clubs over the last twelve months.
Favourite for the main prize is Nkana striker Ronald Kampamba who is hoping for a second successive double after winning the 2012 Young Player Award and Golden Boot for his 15 goals that season,
The 22-year-old faces the prospect of another double after scoring 18 goals to win the 2013 Golden Boot award and also guiding Nkana to the 2013 Super Division title.
He faces competition from Zambia home-based team captain Bronson Chama who led his club Red Arrows to their maiden Barclays Cup victory last November when they beat Nchanga Rangers 3-1 in the final.
Chama also captained Zambia to the 2013 Cosafa Cup title and a bronze place finish at the Cecafa Cup in Kenya where the team appeared as guest side.
The third nominee 27-year-old Kondwani Mtonga made telling impact in his debut year playing for Zambia with the major highlight coming in June when he was converted into a defender and replaced the then injured Stopilla Sunzu for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Lesotho that month.
Meanwhile in the coaching category, Nkana coach Masauso Mwale has been nominated for a second successive year after losing out to ex-Zanaco coach Keagan Mumba in 2012.
Mwale’s last nomination was for saving Konkola Mine Police from demotion in their first season in the FAZ Super Division.
This time around, Mwale oversaw Nkana’s unprecedented 12th title triumph in just his first season at the helm.
Mwale is in contention for the coach of the year award with Tenant Chembo whom he beat for the Super Division title to see the latter settle for second best.
The two will be against Nchanga Rangers coach Fighton Simukonda who is chasing his third award in four years after winning it in 2010 and 2009.
Ex-Chipolopolo midfielder Kebby Hachipuka has joined promoted FAZ Super League side Indeni on a one-year loan deal from Choma Green Eagles.
Eagles coach Justin Chinama confirmed on Tuesday that his club has loaned Hachipuka to Indeni.
The 2009 CHAN bronze medallist spent the 2013 season at Power Dynamos but saw little action at Arthur Davies.
Earlier in January, Hachipuka had returned to Eagles before sealing a move to Indeni.
“We have loaned Kebby Hachipuka to Indeni. After moving from Power he came back to Choma Eagles but Indeni requested for his services,” Chinama revealed.
And Eagles have extended striker Aubrey Zulu’s loan spell at Zanaco for another season.
“We wanted to recall Aubrey but Zanaco resquested for his services again, since the player wanted to remain at Zanaco I said let him go back,” Chinama said.
Meanwhile, Eagles have recalled defender Tindi Mwanza from Red Arrows and winger Spencer Sautu from Forest Rangers.
