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Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu has intervened in the matter in which the TP Mazembe trio of Rainford Kalaba, Stophilla Sunzu and Nathan Sinkala have had their passports withheld by the Immigration Department for leaving the country without Immigration clearance.
The trio who reportedly sneaked out of the country without immigration clearance when their services were required in Zambia’s recent friendly game against 2014 world cup hosts Brazil in China have been frequenting the Immigration regional office in Ndola from last week for questioning.
But Mr Lungu has directed that the trio be given back their passports and allowed to return back to their base in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr Lungu however, warned that there will be no sacred cows in the application of the laws of the land.
He says government will take issue with TP Mazembe Zambian representative Andre Mtine.
The Home Affairs Minister says exit and entry by any Zambian requires immigration clearance and that no one is above the law.
He says the law will deal with anyone breaking the law whether one is a football superstar or not.
Mr Lungu has since advised the managers of the players both in Zambia and DRC to take responsibility and guide them properly instead of taking advantage of their lack of knowledge of immigration procedures.
TP Mazembe claims the players were injured at the time they were summoned for the Brazil friendly but the players disappeared when they were told to fly to China to be assessed by team Doctor Joseph Kabungo.
Mr Lungu was speaking on The Arena programme on ZNBC’s TV 2 this morning monitored by QFM News.
The Lusaka Stock Exchange has announced that two companies are expected to list shares on the local stock market in the last quarter of 2013.
LUSE Chief Executive Officer Brian Tembo told a media briefing in Lusaka Tuesday morning that one of the companies is from the property sector and another from the insurance industry.
And Mr. Tembo has disclosed that trading of shares on LUSE reduced by 96 percent during the previous quarter compared to the corresponding quarter in 2012.
He said market capitalization was up by 22.88 percent at K56.11 billion compared to the same period in 2012 which was K 46 billion.
Mr Tembo said the LuSE All Share Index (LASI) was up by 29 percent closing the quarter at 4,796.89 points compared to 3,709.09 points in the corresponding quarter in 2012.
“In terms of equity, we are expecting two listing, one from the property market and the other from the insurance market. We are happy that government has given incentives to companies in the property sector that list on the exchange,” Mr Tembo said.
At the same briefing, Securities and Exchange Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Wala Chabala has expressed concern over the proceeds of the K2.5 Billion bond that was issued by the International Finance Corporation earlier in the year.
Dr. Chabala said the proceeds of the bond have not been invested in businesses as is the mission and objective of the IFC.
“Some concerns have been raised in some quarters, the proceeds have not been invested in the businesses as you may know, the IFC invests in SME businesses in countries where it operates as a way of stimulating private sector, now in this case, the proceeds of the bond issuance has gone into a different business and not the SME sector,” Dr Chabala said.
He added, “There are obviously a number of dynamics at work in that some investors would be happy to invest in securities issued by a triple A rated institution but other investors are keen that the proceeds of the issuance be applied as per objectives and mission of IFC.”
Dr Chabala added that the other dimension is that there was more overwhelming appetite for the IFC security from external investors and that IFC had to play a balancing act to be able to include local investors.
United Party for National Development, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has maintained that political independence has lost meaning to the majority of Zambians because they are completely marginalized.
Mr. Hichilema says there is nothing to ‘dine and wine’ for because most Zambians cannot even afford the wine.
Reacting to continuous condemnations from President Michael Sata and his ministers, Mr. Hichilema said President Sata and his Ministers are the ones who have every reason to celebrate independence because they recently increased their salaries and are getting free expensive food.
Mr. Hichilema said instead of accusing him of insulting freedom fighters, it is Mr. Sata and his friends who are insulting freedom fighters by making independence meaningless for the majority Zambians through their poor leadership which is making the poor poorer.
He added that if genuine freedom fighters, who died during the struggle, woke up, they would cry to see how President Sata and his colleagues are messing up the once prosperous country.
[pullquote]if genuine freedom fighters, who died during the struggle, woke up, they would cry to see how President Sata and his colleagues are messing up the once prosperous country.[/pullquote]
Mr. Hichilema said in a statement that the freedom fighters wanted complete political and economic independence for all Zambians unlike what is happening now where there is independence for a few people only.
He has since appealed to Zambians to use Independence Day to reflect on what has gone wrong with the country and think of how to move forward.
Mr. Hichilema was yesterday quoted urging Zambians to boycott this year’s Independence Day cerebrations.
Meanwhile, Open Society Foundation Executive Director Sunday Chanda is concerned with Mr. Hichilema’s calls for Zambians to shun this year’s Independence Day Commemorations.
Mr. Hichilema has justified his call by outlining challenges and other problems faced by ordinary Zambians as the basis on which a national event must be shunned.
Mr. Chanda has advised that the outlining of challenges as provided by Mr. Hichilema, while real, is not just a Zambian phenomenon.
He has since asked Mr. Hichilema and other political party leaders to use 24th October to summon the intelligentsia in their respective political establishments to devise mechanisms to defeat these challenges.
In a statement, Mr. Chanda has further urged Zambians to avoid politicking over a serious national event as they risk cheapening the cost of Zambia’s political freedom.
Student dancing on the street with a grandmother to make some money in view of the unavailability of bursaries support and Russian laws not allowing students to work part-time. For us students it is very psychologically disturbing as fellow Russian students laugh at us when in class after they saw an African dancing just as shown in the picture for money
I write to you seeking your intervention over the yearly problem that we the Zambian students are facing in Russia concerning the failure by government via the bursaries committee to send us upkeep, visa and medical allowances on time. We have gone for five months without been given the top up allowances.
The academic year begins in September, and start of every academic year needs a certain amount of money.
1.Firstly, on the 1st September we needed about $400 for hostel fees ,about $200 for medical insurance(which if you don’t have you will not be register as a student and will not write exams), about $50 for renewal of the student Visa and about $100 for full medical checkups. In short, a student needs a minimum of about $800 at the start of every academic year which is 01-09. Most universities do not allow students to start school without the above mentioned requirements.In spite of the government through the bursaries committee being aware of these facts, we have gone for five months without being paid top up allowances.
It is so disturbing to note that in light of this, there has been no concrete explanation given as to why we have not be given the top up allowances up to now. Our student union representatives have kept on informing us that the embassy does not know when the bursaries committee will send us the money. Rumour has it that the bursaries committee has a negative bank balance; hence, they are unable to fund us. It is so worrying to note that a country can risk having expensive uncalled for by-elections after every five-six months while its children are suffering abroad under brutal temperatures.
[pullquote]We are even wondering why the government keeps on sending students here when they cannot afford to take care of the few who are here already[/pullquote]
There is a far cry amongst the Zambian community here. Not only are we a joke, we are also recurrent beggars, our colleagues from other countries are even avoiding us now, simply because they are tired of our endless demands, We are in so much debt(we have already reached our debt ceiling).
We have been warned of being evicted from the hostels by next week if we do not pay for the hostels. The hostel managers have given us eviction notifications and we are now worried how will be able to continue studying being aware of the fact that we might not have a place to stay by next week.
students being paid for dancing and taking a photo with a kid at the sea.
To add salt to the wound, we have unsettled issues with visas, as we are required to have medical insurance policies before they can give us our visas. In Russia, you need to have a registration card. The registration card is available only if you have a visa. However, for us it means that we are unable to get the registration card, as we do not have the visa. Without having a registration card, you cannot do any official transactions; this means that I cannot even receive money from any bank or western union if my parents were to send me money.
We are even wondering why the government keeps on sending students here when they cannot afford to take care of the few who are here already. Each year, Zambia sends more students here than any other country in Africa. Just for the 2013-2014 academic years, Zambia sent around 105 students.
2.Secondly, we desperately need an increment. The last time we got an increment was in 2008 right before the world financial crisis. Ever since, prices of goods has risen as much as 90%. While the Zambian government has increased its salaries 3 times just within two years. The $250 per month is not enough at all. Russia is a very expensive place to live in. Moscow is now the second most expensive city to live in in the world. Our (well taken care-of) fellow students from Botswana gets $750, Nigeria gets $600, Angola gets $500 and Guinea gets $500 per month, just to mention the few. And their money comes on time, maybe simply because their government understands better what it takes to be a foreign student in an alien land like Russia. My final appeal to the PF government is to be efficient enough in the way they hundle NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
Please pay us our allowances on time and take some time to revise on what you offer to us. I believe no soul has to be lost to be convinced that the house is not in order but at the moment, what we are going through, is pretty worrisome as we have massively cut our eating schedules due to reasons best known to our own GOVERNMENT!
3.Lastly A word of advice to anyone who wishes to come and study here under the Russian/Zambian scholarship, do more consultations and make sure your parents can stand for you in days like these.
Studying in Russia as a foreigner is very difficult; unlike the locals, we are not allowed to work hence we cannot earn any extra money. However, the failure by government to send us money on time has led to some students embarrassing themselves by dancing at the universities, in streets or at the sea so that the well-wishers can give them some money. This is so embarrassing for a country like Zambia to see its future leaders, medical practitioners and engineers dancing for a living in a foreign land instead of concentrating on their studies(below is attached a photo of the students dancing to what is called tumba-yumba).
We plead to any concerned authority in Zambia who will read this to voice out for us. We plead to the government through the ministry of education to hear our plea and consider us, as studying in Russia, Algeria, china, Turkey and Cuba is not easy and even worse without any form of financial support.
Your assistance will be highly appreciated
Concerned and soon to be evicted from the hostel Zambian student in Russia.
DEPUTY Inspector-General of Police Solomon Jere (right) talks to newly-appointed Patriotic Front (PF) interim District chairperson Robert Chikwelete at the ruling party’s District office premises
Robert Chikwelete has charged that he has not been suspended from the party.
Mr Chikwelete said in an interview that it is unfortunate that PF Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga could issue suspensions at will.
“As far as I know, am still an active member of this party. I have not been suspended,” Mr Chikwelete said.
Mr Chikwelete maintained that he had not committed any wrongs.
He said he planned to write to Mrs Atanga to exculpate himself from the perceived transgressions.
“I will write to the Deputy SG and explain the issues that have arisen but I still don’t recognise my suspension. She has not sent anything official to me,” he said.
Mr Chikwelete said he will vie for the forthcoming elections as Lusaka District Chairman.
“Yes I will go for it. No doubt I will go for it. Am very popular as you can see.”
Mrs Atanga slapped suspensions on Mr Chikwelete and Mr Goodson Banda and banned them from contesting the forthcoming party elections for Lusaka District.
PRESIDENT Michael Sata is ready to call for an emergency Central Committee meeting in order to resolve the squabbles that have rocked the ruling party, party deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga has said.
In an interview yesterday, Ms Atanga assured the nation that Mr Sata would call for an emergency meeting anytime because he too wanted to have this matter put to rest.
Ms Atanga urged the nation to be patient with the President on this issue saying he too wanted to handle it amicably so that his members could all be free to talk and work in unity.
“Just be patient, the President too is equally concerned with the squabbles, accusations and name calling currently being witnessed in the country, but I can assure you that this will come to an end soon, the President can call for an emergency meeting any time, it can be today, tomorrow or any other day,” she said.
She also urged the media to report accurately as required by the professional ethics and not to suit their personal ambitions.
The central committee last week on Friday deferred the matter in it was supposed to tackle the petition demanding the removal of Party secretary General Wynter Kabimba.
MINISTER of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu says former President Rupiah Banda has built high confidence in Government for returning from South Africa where he had gone for a medical check-up amid fears that he might flee the country.
Mr Banda was granted 16 days – from October 4, 2013 to October 20, 2013 – by the Lusaka High Court in which to seek medical attention.
His passport is in State custody and released only when permission for him to travel is granted by the courts.
Mr Lungu said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Government is happy that Mr Banda has fulfilled the requirements of returning to Zambia within the time he was given by the Lusaka High Court.
“We are very impressed as Government that Mr Rupiah Banda came back within the time he was given by the Lusaka High Court. His return has built high confidence in the government and this means that he can be trusted again,” he said.
Mr Banda returned to Lusaka from South Africa on Sunday.
Lusaka High Court judge Anesi Banda-Bobo had ordered that Mr Banda’s passport be released to enable him travel to South Africa for a medical check-up.
Mr Banda, who had been on a travel ban, had his diplomatic passport cancelled by Government in June this year and has since been issued with an ordinary one.
This was after President Sata allowed Mr Banda to travel to South Africa following the latter’s request to the head of State.
The Immigration Department is still holding on to Stopilla Sunzu, Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala’s passports four days after confiscating them.
And the department on Monday continued interviewing and recording statements from the TP Mazembe trio in Ndola.
Sunzu, Sinkala and Kalaba are accused of secretly leaving Zambia illegally after failing to undergo laid down immigration formalities.
This is believed to have occured on October 12 after talks in Lusaka to try and secure their release from Mazembe prior to Zambia’s friendly against Brazil.
“Lusaka (Immigration) office will make a decision. They will communicate to us by Wednesday,” the lawyer for the trio Derrick Mulenga said on Monday.
“Today, they continued with warn and caution statements,” Mulenga added.
The three players missed Mazembe’s crucial CAF Confederations Cup match against St. Malien which the DR Congo team won 1-0 to reach the final.
Kelvin Kaindu’s Highlanders have maintained their two point lead at the top of the Zimbabwe Premier League table with five games left to play.
The ex-Zanaco winger and assistant coach is in his second season with the Bulawayo club whom he led to a second place finish in his first term in charge in 2012.
On Sunday, the seven-time Zimbabwe champions Highlanders beat hosts and fourth from bottom Black Rhinos 3-0 on Sunday.
The win keeps Highlanders two points ahead of defending champions Dynamos who also won on Sunday.
Highlanders have 47 points while Dynamos are on 45 points from 25 games played.
The two sides will meet in what could be a decisive match on October 27 when Highlanders hosts the record 17-time champions in Bulawayo.
Highlanders have not won the Zimbabwean title since 2006.
Meanwhile in Mozambique, Wedson Nyirenda’s HCB Songo remained second despite losing 1-0 away to 11th positioned Chingale Tete on Sunday.
Songo are second on 37 points from 22 games with four matches left to play in Nyirenda’s first season in charge of the club.
They are seven points behind leaders Liga Muculmana who have 44 points and have a game in hand.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
20/10/2013
Kalulushi Modern Stars 1(Clarence Berrington 29″)-Red Arrows 2(Stanley Nshimbi 24″, Patrick Musonda 37″)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tuskwith with President Sata at Statehouse at a luncheon. Former President Kenneth Kaunda also joined them
President Michael Sata has announced that government will open a mission in Poland to strengthen bilateral relations with that country.
President Sata said there was need to open a mission in Poland because Zambia’s relations with that country date back to the 1960s.
He said this when he and First Lady Christine Kaseba hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his wife Malgorzata Tusk at State House today.
President Sata thanked the Mr. Tusk for visiting Zambia.
And Poland Prime Minister, Donald Tusk said there was need to base future bilateral relations of the two countries on genuine friendship.
Mr. Tusk said he appreciated the warm welcome that he and his wife received during their visit to Zambia.
He has since invited President Sata to also visit Poland in future.
Meanwhile, President Sata has received a tea set from late Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki Foundation and Fine China, a company which manufactured the tea set.
Fine China has been in existence for more than 200 years.
Earlier, President Sata held a closed door meeting with the Polish Prime Minister at state house before hosting a luncheon for him and his delegation.
And President Sata has called on the Polish business community to explore several areas of investment in Zambia.
President Sata said government was committed to providing a conducive environment for trade and investment because Zambia was endowed with abundant natural resources.
He has therefore implored the Polish business community to take advantage of Zambia’s good investment climate and quality manpower to explore various areas of investment especially in infrastructure and agriculture.
President Sata extended the invitation to the Polish investors when he held a closed door meeting with that country’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his delegation at State House today.
The President said he recognised Poland‘s impressive economic growth in the European Union (EU).
Mr. Sata has consequently called for increased exchanged of trade delegations between the two countries.
And Poland Prime Minister, Donald Tusk assured President Sata that the Polish government was ready to see strengthened
bilateral relations with Zambia such as increased economic, social and political relation with African countries.
He said Poland was ready to assist Zambia in the agriculture, education and scientific research sectors.
Mr. Tusk further said Zambia was included in his regional visit because of its growing reputation of being a symbol of stability and predictability on the international arena and the Southern Africa region.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s first republican President Kenneth Kaunda has extolled the late first Bishop of Lusaka, Adam Kozlowiecki, for the role he played in promoting unity in the country.
Dr. Kaunda said Zambians must emulate the late Polish missionary by promoting love for each other.
He said this in Lusaka today at the art exhibition which was attended by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in honour of late Cardinal Kozlowiecki at Lusaka Museum.
Dr. Kaunda, who midway in his speech, broke into his trademark song ‘Tiyende Pamodzi’ (Let us move in unity), called on all Zambians to love one another.
He said the country should embrace the spirit of the ‘One Zambia! One Nation motto’ which he said came about because of inspiration from the late Cardinal Kozlowiecki whose work was centred on loving other people.
And speaking during the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Susan Kawandami said there was need to provide more financial resources to museums in Zambia.
Ms. Kawandami said museums play an important role in documenting and preserving the culture and history of any nation.
She said Lusaka Museum was currently faced with challenges hence it was difficult for the institution to execute its mandate.
Ms. Kawandami said lack of resources has hindered the museum from carrying out research that can help the country’s future generations.
She also pointed out that members of staff need training so that the museum can compete internationally.
PF Deputy Secretary General has revealed that both Goodson Banda and Robert Chikwelete have been barred from contesting the forthcoming District elections.
Mr Chikwelete is a Councilor in Chawama Constituency who forcefully toppled Mr Banda for the position of District Chairman after weeks of internal wrangling.
Mr Chikwelete was officially declared Chairman of Lusaka by President Sata during the official launch of the Pave Zambia road project in Chawama.
But State House issued a statement weeks later denouncing Mr Chikwelete and denying that President Sata never endorsed him for the position.
President Sata through his Spokesperson George Chellah encouraged the two faction leaders to wait for the elections and prove their popularity.
But in a sudden turn of events, PF Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga confirmed to Journalists in Lusaka that Mr Banda and Mr Chikwelete will not be allowed to vie for the position.
Mrs Atanga explained that the two have been barred to allow for fresh leadership and put an end to the wrangles in the district.
She also noted that the party is hopeful that President Sata will soon call for an emergency central committee to table the petition against Secretary General Wynter Kabimba.
Mrs Atanga also refuted reports that Friday’s central committee meeting refused to table the issue of Mr Kabimba’s stay in the party.
She said the issue of Mr Kabimba was extensively discussed and that a resolution was arrived at Mr Kabimba should be present before the matter could be concluded.
President Michael Sata has advised UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to always endeavour to sell a personal image of unity and patriotism.
In a statement released to the media by his press aid George Chellah, the President described Mr. Hichilema’s call on Zambians to shun the Independence Day celebrations as an insult to freedom fighters and many who lost their lives to liberate this country.
“Mr. Hichilema’s efforts to entice Zambians with such ‘pick- pocket schemes’ are proof of his inappropriateness to be considered for public office. We know he is desperate to manufacture excuses to justify his dwindling political fortunes but let him for once respect moments that bind us together as Zambians,” the President said.
“More fundamentally, Independence Day celebrations are well beyond partisan politics as they signify the country’s historical victory and remind us of where we are coming from as a people. Therefore, I find it hard to believe that a person aspiring to lead our beloved country should be the one in the forefront fanning such unpatriotic tendencies.
“Mr. Hichilema’s irresponsible utterances only go to show his self-centredness and glutton. In fact, both his professional and political life bear features of a transmissible existence. Probably, this why he does not value other people’s hard work because he is used to take over benefits born out of other person’s sweat and blood.”
President Sata advised the UPND leader to embrace nation building, unity and development in his quest for public office.
NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY PRESS STATEMENT TOLL GATES
The introduction of toll gates by the Patriotic Front government is unacceptable. These electronic barriers should only be applied on new roads and not old roads. It is unfortunate that funds are always misapplied.
It is unfair for the ruling party to introduce toll gates for Zambians because they pay the highest taxes interns of road tax for using roads in the country. This is just another way of getting money from people’s pockets by making Zambians pay a double fee.
As National Restoration Party youths, we highly disagree with the introduction of toll gets on our roads in the country. Transport is already expensive for a common man hence introducing another form of Road tax will make transport even more expensive.
The rainy season is around the corner and some roads are still in a bad state. Motorists will have a hard time getting to their destinations yet they are subjected to so many taxes such as carbon emission tax when government cannot be accountable for all these monies.
We are calling on the Road Development Agency (RDA) to tell the nation whether they want motorists to stop paying road tax through the current system and pay through toll gates. RDA should clearly state what these monies are for because we do not know where they will be taking these monies. In the midst of employment and wage freeze, government must not put more economic pressure on its citizens.
Toll gates only work well in countries where the government is accountable. NAREP is appealing to the PF administration to have pity on the people because no Zambian deserves this from a government people thought came to liberate us.
Bwalya Nondo Secretary General NAREP National Youth League 21st October 2013
Democratic Republic of Congo Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi (centre)
We are disappointed by the unfortunate allegations and comments attributed to TP Mazembe president Moses Katumbi concerning the three Zambian players whom his club blocked from attending an important international match last week.
We’ve always enjoyed good relations with TP Mazembe which out of their own volition have decided to abrogate. TP Mazembe and Mr. Katumbi should engage in serious introspection and check the conduct of its officials before accusing FAZ of issues which are completely out of its jurisdiction.
Mr Katumbi’s comments over the players and their present plight clearly shows how uninformed he is over the processes and procedures of the association, matters of Zambian law and how we engage with different clubs and our nationals plying their trade in different parts of the world.
It is not in our interest and desire to exchange words with the club over a matter in which they acted unprofessionally and at variance with the rules of the game. The public may not be privy to some overtures from Mazembe who last week pleaded with the Association for review of the matter before FIFA and requested pardon; this we have not made known as well as other undertakings out of the mutual understanding we have previously enjoyed.
For the information of Mr Katumbi and Mazembe, what is presently happening to the three players is of concern to us as they face serious allegations before the Immigration Department; a situation caused by the actions of the club and its representatives. However, matters that impinge on the laws of the land are not under the jurisdiction of the Football Association of Zambia but subject to the Zambian constitution and implemented by various agencies of the state. We have no jurisdiction over the Immigration Department whatsoever and what they do is beyond us.
Further, FAZ is not in charge of controlling national borders, enforcing national security and immigration law. These are governed by relevant Acts of Parliament and enforced by authorities who as stated above are not subject to FAZ or FIFA’s laws of the game.
FAZ has no mandate to withdraw any player’s passport. We have never withdrawn any players’ passport or subjected any players to undue pressure or coerced them into actions that abrogate the law of the land or the laws of the game.
The withdrawal of the three Mazembe players’ passports was done by the Immigration Department who are acting under the established laws of the Republic of Zambia to which every Zambian is subject. This Department does not report to FAZ. Mazembe is free to report the Immigration authorities to FIFA if they so wish.
We sincerely hope they will not mislead the players into illegal court actions and petitions that would only jeopardize their careers.
From our end, this matter ended when we forwarded to FIFA our concern over Mazembe’s conduct and FIFA acted accordingly. We observed the football protocols and are satisfied with FIFA’s position and now we await the outcome of the matter which has been taken before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for further consideration.
O. Erick Mwanza
Communications Manager & Spokesperson
