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ZNS’s Kalonga milling plant to be commissioned this Friday

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The Zambia Prisons Service has disclosed that it will this Friday commission its K 2.5 million Kalonga milling plant in Kabwe.

And Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato has clarified that the milling company will only be producing 80 metric tonnes of mealie-meal per day for consumption by prisoners in various prisons.

Mr. Chato said the commission will in future carry out an expansion project that will see more milling plants established in other provinces for both consumption and commercial purposes.

Mr. Chato said the plant will be ready for commissioning by June this year for full operations to begin.

He explained that the major consumers of the mealie meal from the plant will be prisons and excess supply will then be sold to the public.

Mr. Chato said the prisons want to do away with the issue of buying mealie meal for inmates but resort to producing its own using the maize grown by the prisoners throughout the country.

The Kalonga Milling plant is one project aimed at increasing sustainability in the provision of food to the prisoners.

The construction of the Milling plant is in line with the Zambia Prisons Service commitment to improving its services, value addition and self-sustainability.

HH’s statement on independence day celebrations very irresponsible and unpatriotic -Government

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HH’s statement on independence day celebrations very irresponsible and unpatriotic -Government
Hakainde Hichilema
Hakainde Hichilema

Government has described as very irresponsible and unpatriotic to the country the statement made by United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema. Mr Hachilema is quoted by the Post Newspaper urging Zambians to shun Independence Day celebrations because there is nothing to celebrate when majority Zambians are suffering.

Below is the full statement

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. MWANSA KAPEYA, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON UPND PRESIDENT’S CALL FOR PEOPLE TO SHUN THE 49TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

The presence of MMD president Dr. Nevers Mumba and other opposition party leaders at the inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday gives hope that government and the opposition could after all co-exist.

Dr. Mumba, National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba, NAREP vice president Mr. Charles Maboshe, Zambians for Empowerment and Development president Fred Mutesa and People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti were all present at the thanksgiving service.
As His Excellency, Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia remarked, “This is how we are supposed to live.”

The Thanksgiving services was meant to commemorate the country’s 49th independence anniversary and launch of the 2014 Golden Jubilee as Zambia celebrates 50 years of independence on October 24th, 2014.

Previously, the opposition leaders have shunned such special functions with stances such as “We have nothing to celebrate.”

But I must commend the opposition leaders who saw it befitting to be at the Cathedral on Sunday because they did this with the realization that Zambia is bigger than individual interests and that national interest comes first, especially for one vying for the presidency of the Republic.

This is what brings me to the UPND president Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr. Hichilema is quoted in today’s The Post as saying Zambians should shun Independence Day celebrations, and that there is nothing to celebrate when majority Zambians are suffering.

Government finds Mr. Hichilema’s statement very irresponsible and unpatriotic to the country and such statement should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.

As Zambians know, the commemoration of the independence of Zambia is not about the ruling Patriotic Front or its government. The commemoration of Zambia’s independence is about the country and its people and a tribute to our forefathers who fought for the freedoms that even Mr. Hichilema is celebrating today.

Mr. Hichilema is not punishing anyone by his stance, instead, he is simply showing contempt to those who fought for our rights, like first President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and others dead or alive.

I do not intend to catalogue the PF government’s visible successes so far, but let me remind Mr. Hichilema that as opposition leader he has a duty to himself and to voters to play the role of an alternative government and indeed, uphold the importance of celebrating national events.

Mr. Hichilema must also accept that the PF was elected to rule and his role as opposition is constructive criticism and keeping alternative policies in view.

Encouraging people to shun independence celebrations is far from being an alternative policy, and therefore I urge Mr. Hichilema to act statesmanlike and in national interest.

Lastly, I would like to urge all Zambians to turn out in large numbers in their respective locations to celebrate our independence.

Those in Kitwe, should be proud that this year His Excellency, President Sata will be with them on Thursday to celebrate our independence in grand style.

HON. MWANSA KAPEYA, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
21st October, 2013

Post Newspaper’s Dangerous “Bemba Tribalism” Mantra

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I was disheartened to read the Sunday Post Newspaper editorial of 20th October 2013 which falsely claimed that “Bemba tribalism” is at the core of demands by ruling Patriotic Front (PF) members to have embattled Secretary General Hon. Wynter Kabimba disciplined based on petitions from all 10 provinces and 2 members of the Central Committee.

Strangely, the Post Newspaper is parroting the same divisive language of “tribal clique” and “corrupt PF Cabinet ministers” used by Kabimba and Vice President Guy Scott which have badly dented the image of PF and government.

It is also deeply regrettable that the Post Newspaper chose to discredit a great leader, freedom fighter and former Republican Vice President late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (MHSRIP) through their futile attempts to defend and promote their friends Guy Scott and Wynter Kabimba.

The Post’s revisionist view that late Simon Kapwepwe was popularly elected as UNIP and Republican Vice President only by Bembas only is both factually and historically incorrect, unless they are implying that UNIP was a “Bembas only” party – ask Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and other freedom fighters like Simon Zukas!

In a democratic dispensation, unlike the one party State Kaunda imposed on Zambia later on, late Simon Kapwepwe and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula would both probably have been freely elected President of Zambia if they had been allowed to exercise their God-given right!

[pullquote]Alexander Chikwanda again refuted these senseless allegations by the Post and their preferred PF leaders stating that Wynter Kabimba is both Bemba and Sala by parentage and “…how can we work against our own?” [/pullquote]

Paradoxically, the Post’s false and misguided “Bemba tribalism” claims also echoed by their surrogates like Fr. Luonde came on the same day that Kabwata MP Hon. Given Lubinda published a lengthy letter in the Sunday Mail of 20th October 2013 explaining how Wynter Kabimba labeled false accusations against him to hound him out of PF, with only Sylvia Masebo being the key witness, and how Wynter served both as Accuser and Judge in his case.

Yet, in spite of the obvious miscarriage of natural justice against him by Kabimba’s devious schemes, Lubinda never cried wolf by claiming that his persecution was tribal or racial in nature, and Post Newspaper never stood behind him.

Oddly, Wynter and the Post even supported PF cadres like Kabwata PF Constituency chairman Silubanje and others who demonstrated against Lubinda claiming they were exercising their democratic rights!

The Sunday Mail of this same date quotes Home Affairs Minister and PF Disciplinary Committee chairman Hon. Edgar Lungu as challenging Scott and Kabimba to excuse themselves from the PF if they felt it was tribal or corrupt, saying“…you can’t hunt with fox and play with rabbits!”

In the Sunday Nation on the same day Finance Minister Hon. Alexander Chikwanda again refuted these senseless allegations by the Post and their preferred PF leaders stating that Wynter Kabimba is both Bemba and Sala by parentage and “…how can we work against our own?”

When people feel politically pressured and weak due to their lack of genuine popular mass support and base, they resort to “playing victim” employing tactics like tribalism, clanism, racism etc. Indeed “Uwawa tabula kabepesho” (he who has fallen lacks no excuse!).

Instead of defending themselves against their accusers and rallying people to their side, the Post and their preferred PF leaders, like desperate drowning men, are trying to pull everyone down with them to destruction due to their ulterior motives – Ukufilila munsenga!

[pullquote]When people feel politically pressured and weak due to their lack of genuine popular mass support and base, they resort to “playing victim” employing tactics like tribalism, clanism, racism etc.[/pullquote]

Is the Post telling us that Wynter’s accusers, Central Committee members like Hon. Jean Kapata (North Western province)and Onat Kamayoyo (Western province) all Bemba? Is PF Deputy SG Bridget Atanga, who expelled Wynter Kabimba’s person Situula Sikwindi Bemba? Is Hon. Given Lubinda Bemba?

Is Hon. Edgar Lungu Bemba? What other excuses, apart from feeble accusations of “Bemba tribalism”, do the Post Newspaper, Guy Scott and Wynter Kabimba have?

Zambians should not forget that the Post Newspaper’s crusade as spokespersons for Wynter Kabimba and Guy Scott is only for self-preservation and to protect their narrow “interests.”Surprisingly, this same newspaper kept insulting President Sata as a “Bemba tribalist” while in opposition, while Sylvia Masebo was insulting Mr. Sata even as late as 2 years ago! Talk about political opportunism! They now claim in their editorials to be President Sata’s greatest praise singers.

[pullquote]One would also wonder why a so-called “private” newspaper like the Post is so bitter and fully immersed in PF’s intra-party partisan wrangles[/pullquote]

The Post newspaper always maliciously labels those who stand against their peculiar agenda “Tribalists” or “Corrupt” – they labeled late President Chiluba, who actually picked Levy Mwanawasa over his fellow tribespersons Emmanuel Kasonde and Michael Sata to succeed him as President, a tribalist.

And they also called late UPND leader Anderson Mazoka and former President Rupiah Banda “tribalists.” One would also wonder why a so-called “private” newspaper like the Post is so bitter and fully immersed in PF’s intra-party partisan wrangles, thus losing all sense of objectivity and independence. Can they tell the nation if they are an appendage of the PF which serves the interests of “their chosen leaders?”

I urge all well-meaning patriotic Zambians to condemn in the strongest terms possible the Post Newspaper’s careless and dangerous “Bemba Tribalism” mantra which can divide the country and plunge it into untold chaos like what happened in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, etc. This self-serving newspaper’s narrow and “partisan” agenda is only for self-preservation at the expense of party and national unity.

CHIBASHE SICHONE
CONCERNED CITIZEN

Luapula travellers happy with progress on the pedicle

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The Copperfield Mining Services Contractor’s Water Bouzer busy watering the tarring materials for their proper fixing as part of the process in the tarring undertaking of part of the 79 kilometer pedicle road.
The Copperfield Mining Services Contractor’s Water Bouzer busy watering the tarring materials for their proper fixing as part of the process in the tarring undertaking of part of the 79 kilometer pedicle road.

Luapula-bound travellers passing through the pedicle road in the Democratic Republic of Congo have expressed happiness at the progress of road works on the road.

The travellers on the Thursday Post Bus said the Patriotic Front Government was delivering on its promises because the pedicle was one of the roads that caused worries to the travellers in the past and but expressed happiness that the story will soon change.

Peter Bweupe stated that government had done well to ensure that the pedicle road was raised to the bituminous standard because of the amount of traffic that used the road throughout the year.
Mr Bweupe said the pedicle was a critical connector between the Luapula and the Copperbelt provinces and it was busy throughout the year.

He added that the people of Luapula Province will remember president Sata for a long time because of giving them a reliable pedicle road which will enhance business transactions between Luapula and the Copperbelt due to shortened time of travelling between the two provinces.

Mr Bweupe said it was good that the contractor has put his mind to the job because already, some material for tarring the 79 km stretch has been delivered to the site and some stretch was being covered.

He said a reliable pedicle road will not only enhance trade and commerce between the two provinces but also result in increased investments in the tourism sector.

Part of the Pedicle Road spread with tarring stone materials with villagers in the background. The possible benefits that will come to them in the settlements along the road when the road is completed.
Part of the Pedicle Road spread with tarring stone materials with villagers in the background. The possible benefits that will come to them in the settlements along the road when the road is completed.

The traveller said once tarred, pedicle road will add value to social outings and interactions between the peoples of the two provinces.

And Philip Chimbwe said the road will also promote weekend ventures by Copperbelt residents to the mouth-watering Lake Bangweulu beaches in Samfya District where a dive into the natural waters by the beach engraves an indelible memory on one’s life experience.

Mr Chimbwe added that the road will also become a catalyst to opening up the ten waterfalls of Luapula Province to the outside world because tourists wanted to go to a place where they are assured of a reliable road that should help them to plan and manage their time effectively.

And Bibian Kasonde said a tarred pedicle road will benefit not only the business people in the transport sector by their buses reducing on maintenance costs but also all private vehicle owners traversing the two provinces for various reasons.

Ms Kasonde said she was overjoyed that materials for tarring the road were already being levelled on some stretch of the road, saying the act has demonstrated the seriousness that government attaches to the road.

hembe Bridge is always a delight to the people of Luapula Province and they find it practically impossible to pass through it without talking good of the late Republican President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa (2001-2008) who ensured the Bridge was constructed for them during his administration.
hembe Bridge is always a delight to the people of Luapula Province and they find it practically impossible to pass through it without talking good of the late Republican President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa (2001-2008) who ensured the Bridge was constructed for them during his administration.

And Mary Mulenga argued that the Contractor should move quickly with the works because the rainy season was almost setting which will make the work difficult if some things were not done within the dry season.

Ms Mulenga said road works were a challenging task when being undertaken during the rainy season and might cost more on the movement of materials and earth moving machinery breakdowns.

She said it was a good that the tarred pedicle road will finally become a reality unlike in the past when the issue was just on the lips of politicians at public meetings without corresponding action on the ground.

Government releases K40 million to Mulungushi University for infrastructure

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GOVERNMENT has released K40 million to Mulungushi University in Kabwe to enable the institution complete works on pending infrastructure projects.

The University has since paid tribute to the Government for releasing K40 million to enable the institution complete the construction of hostels, a laboratory among other facility whose works had stalled due to lack of funds.

Vice Chancellor Hellicy Ngambi said she was confident that the works would be completed before the end of the year and reaffirmed commitment to ensuring that the funds were put to good use to improve the infrastructure at the university.

“We are happy that the government has released K40 million to complete the infrastructure works which were abandoned due to lack of funds. And we have no reason not to finish the works, “she said.

Speaking during the 5th graduation ceremony of over 200 students, Professor N’gambi said the release of funds through the Ministry of Education was a sign of the government’s commitment in ensuring the lecture theatre, library, dining hall were completed for the benefit of the students and the institution as a whole.

Prof Ngambi said she had no doubt that the remaining K10 million would be released soon and assured the government that the university would ensuring continues to provide quality education to students.

She said that once works on the hotels were completed, bed space for students wishing to stay on campus would ultimately be increased.

She said the university ‘s plan was to become one of the most respected learning institution not only in Zambia but Africa. She maintained that the university was the cheapest in terms of tuition fees contrary to the perception by the public that it was the highest.

She said what seemed to be expensive was the lodging and meals and that was as a result of inflation.

She said the number of students had doubled since it opened in 2008 which started with 460 but was now over 3000.

And speaking t the same function, Chancellor Oliver Saasa challenged the grandaunts to settle for nothing less than excellence and should use the knowledge acquired to contribute to the country’s development.

Prof Saasa reminded the grandaunts that the sacrifices their families and government made could only be paid back by demonstrating that they were capable of taking up the rightful place and develop Zambia.

He urged them to use their skills to make a difference.

President Sata calls for unity among politicians, confers with Nevers Mumba inside church building

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President Michael Sata
President Michael Sata

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has called for unity among all political party leaders in the country’s quest to develop.

Mr Sata said unity among political leaders was important as it also strengthened national unity especially during national events.

“If different denominations (churches) are able to unity in moments like this, who are we not to do so, we are fighting for the unity of Zambia, we should be united in things of this nature,’ President Sata said.

The Head of State said this during the interdenominational thanks giving service to commemorate the 49th Independence Anniversary and the launch of the 2014, golden jubilee commemorations held at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr Sata was grateful to all opposition political party leaders, that included MMD president Nevers Mumba who attended yesterday’s interdenominational thanks giving prayers.

He also paid tribute to first republican President Kenneth Kaunda for uniting the people of Zambia.

During the service, the President was among three people that read verses from the Bible, reading from the book of Luke 4: 16-21.

After service, Mr Sata called for Dr Mumba after which the two conferred inside the church building.

The President and Dr Mumba briefly had a chat and share a light moment before leaving the church hand in hand.

Outside the church, Mr Sata and Dr Mumba invited Dr Kaunda to join them and posed for photographs before seeing off the former Head of State to his vehicle.

And in his sermon, Miracle Life Church pastor Shoes Walker said Zambia was special and had God’s blessings.

Pastor Walker said God had been kind to Zambia such that people from all walks of life and countries flocked into the country to partake of the wealth that God had placed upon it.

He urged Zambians to continue to trust in God and preserve the peace that had prevailed in the country over the years.

Among the notables that attended the church service besides Dr Kaunda and Dr Mumba, were the first Lady Christine Kaseba, Vice President Guy Scott, Cabinet ministers and other Government officials.

National Restoration Party (NAREP) Vice President Charles Maboshe, New Revolution Party President Cosmo Mumba, Zambia Direct Democratic Party president Edward Sakala and Some MMD Members of Parliament were also in attendance.

Others were the two former first ladies, Vera Tembo and Maureen Mwanawasa, members of the diplomatic corp and various church leaders.

Government allocates more funds to nursing schools

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HEALTH Minister Joseph Kasonde (c)
HEALTH Minister Joseph Kasonde (c)

Government has released a sum of K800, 3300 for infrastructural development at both Chilonga and Kasama School of Nursing in Muchinga and Northern provinces respectively.

Health Minister, Joseph Kasonde, says the allocation of funds to the two Nursing Schools will go a long away in boosting the midwifery training and registered nursing programmes at the two institutions.

Dr Kasonde said this yesterday when he officiated at the 8th combined graduation ceremony for Chilonga and Kasama Schools of Nursing and Midwives which was held at Chilonga Mission School of Nursing.

The graduation ceremony was also attended by Information Minister, Mwansa Kapeya, who is Mpika Central Member of Parliament.

A total of 94 students graduated and these include 15 enrolled midwives, 39 enrolled nurses and 41 registered nurses from the two Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in the Northern and Muchinga Provinces.

The minister said government has devised measures that will increase the student enrolment and output in the health training institutions in the country.

He said measures put in place include procurement of furniture and equipment, improving and expanding infrastructure and excessive funding to enhance efficiency in training and administration in the institutions.

Dr Kasonde added that apart from training more nurses and midwives the PF government`s implementation of quality health services is to ensure that services are provided in a clean and caring environment by competent health workers.

The Minister congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to understand the core value of nursing, which is caring for the sick.

He said it is important for nurses and midwives to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients, saying nursing as a profession has a universal obligation to the people hence the need for nurses to care for patients as it is a unique and noble
function.

Dr Kasonde, however, challenged the graduates to further their education so as to acquire more knowledge and skill.

And speaking earlier, Euniface Mulenga, Registrar for General Nursing Council (GNC) thanked the government for the financial and technical support rendered to the General Nursing Council through the Ministry of Health.

Ms Mulenga said the support by government to the training institutions enables the General Nursing Council to apply professionalism in their daily
dealings.

The registrar urged the tutors at the two nursing schools to fight the uncaring attitude in the trainee nurses and midwives following the complaints by the public on bad attitudes displayed by some nurses and midwives.

She said the vision of the nursing council is to see a public satisfied with quality nursing and midwifery care, adding that the council is striving to ensure that the quality of training, education and ultimately practice is in line with the International Council of Nurses and the International confederation of midwife.

ZANIS

Former republican president Rupiah Banda back in the country

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Former republican president Rupiah Banda back in the country
Zambian Fourth president Rupiah Banda
Zambian Fourth president Rupiah Banda

FORMER republican president Rupiah Banda has returned from South Africa where he had gone for medical check-ups.

Mr Banda was given 16 days from October 4, 2013 to by October 20, 2013 by the Lusaka high court in which to seek medical attention.

Meanwhile, Mr Banda’s office yesterday instructed officials at the Kenneth Kaunda international airport not to allow members of the press from gaining entry to enable them cover his arrival from South Africa.

Mr Banda arrived yesterday around 16:00 hours aboard South African airways and was immediately driven off from the airport as journalists who had been at the airport from 14:30 were still negotiating entry to interview him.

The journalists who kept on being referred from one office to another by airport and immigration officials for close to two hours were later informed by Senior Liaison and Protocol officer Bennie Silwamba in a telephone conservation that Mr Banda’s assistant for press and public relations Kennedy Limwanya had issued instruction not to allow journalists cover the former Head of State’s arrival.

But when contacted on phone, Mr Limwanya refuted having issued such instructions and promised to call back. However, by press time he had not done so.

Lusaka high court judge Anesi Banda-Bobo had ordered and directed that Mr Banda’s passport be released to enable him travel for medical check-up.

Mr Banda who had been on a travel ban had his diplomatic passport cancelled by the government in June this year has since been issued with a new one.

This was after President Michael Sata allowed Mr Banda to travel to South Africa following his request to the Head of State.

Renard’s earns Sochaux major draw

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Herve Renard got off to a flying start as Sochaux coach with a dramatic draw against Ligue 1 early leaders Monaco on Sunday.

Monaco took a 2-0 in the first half before finishing 2-2 at Sochaux.

The draw saw Sochaux deny Monaco their first away win against their hosts since 2007.

Meanwhile, the home side rallied through goal’s from Cedric Bakambu in the 57th minute and Joseph Lopy in the 69th minute to share the points with the principality club.

Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka started the match but was substituted in the 65th minute.

Sochaux stay second from bottom in 19th place but has seen Monaco drop from first to second place.

Name of Rev Pule’s new political party rejected

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Dan Pule

The Ministry of Home Affairs through the Registrar of Societies has rejected Dr. Dan Pule’s suggested name of his new political party.

Home Affairs Spokesperson Moses Suwali has confirmed that Dr. Pule recently submitted his application to register his new party with a proposed name called Jubilee Party.

Mr. Suwali however notes that Dr. Pule’s suggested name of his new party has been rejected because it conflicts with a government program dubbed the 50th Independence Jubilee.

He said in this vein, Dr. Pule has been advised to propose another name which does not conflict with any other name so that his application for a party can be considered for procession.

And Mr. Suwali has clarified that this move is not in any way intended to frustrate or infringe on Dr. Pule’s right to register a society, organization or political party but that it is merely a procedural screening process which every person or organization regardless of their standing in society is subjected to.

Mr. Suwali adds that the Chief Registrar of Societies is empowered under section 8 of the Societies Act Chapter 119 to refuse the registration of any Society, Organization or Political Party which in his opinion would prejudice the good welfare and peace in the country or advise accordingly like Dr. Pule’s issue.

He has since advised members of the public and organizations who have intentions to register a society or political party to ensure that they undertake a thorough research by consulting all stakeholders including the Registrar of Societies or PACRA prior to submitting applications so as to avoid inconveniences.

Polish Premier arrives for state visit

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Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has arrived in the country for a three days state visit to Zambia.

The Prime Minister, who arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at about 11:00hrs Zambian time, proceeded to visit Kasisi Children’s Home Orphanage, the oldest Polish Charity Mission in Zambia before lodging at Intercontinental Hotel for a private meeting with the Polish Community in Lusaka.

The Polish Prime Minister, who is accompanied by his wife, Malgorzata Tusk, former and current government officials, is leading a high-level delegation of about 30 Polish businessmen who are in the country for the Business Economic Forum in Lusaka.

The Polish Prime Minister is expected to open the Business Economic Forum tomorrow which is expected to be attended by the Polish business delegation and the Zambia business community.

The Polish leader is also expected to call on President Michael Sata tomorrow at state House and later visit Lusaka Museum where he will officially open an exhibition in honour of Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki, a Polish-born Jesuit missionary who spent most of his life in Africa and died on September 28, 2007, at the aged of 96 and was buried in
Lusaka. Cardinal Kozlowiecki was the first Archbishop of Lusaka Catholic Arch Diocese.

One of the Polish Members of Parliament on the Prime Minister’s delegation, Killion Munyama, noted that Zambia is lucky to be visited by the Prime Minister who he said will open business opportunities by bringing with him businessmen and women for the forum.

Mr Munyama disclosed that Zambia has become the third African country after Nigeria and South Africa to be visited by the Polish Prime Minister, adding that the visit will enhance economic benefits to the country.

Mr Munyama, a Zambian-born Polish Member of Parliament, observed that Zambia is becoming one of the fastest developing countries in Africa due to the conducive investment environment necessitated by peace.

And Honorary Consular General of the Republic of Poland, Maryla Wisniewski, hailed the bilateral relations that the country and Zambia enjoy.

Dr Wisniewski noted that with the coming of the Prime Minister of Poland and the holding of a business forum in Zambia, Polish investments would increase.

The Honorary Consular, who has lived in Zambia since 1965, observed that
the country has a conducive environment for investment, adding that the
country has recently recorded steady economic growth.

She said Polish investors have found Zambia to be a good country for their business because of peace.

ZANIS

Wynter Kabimba back in the country, refuses to talk to journalists

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Wynter Kabimba back in the country, refuses to talk to journalists
Wynter Kabimba
Wynter Kabimba

Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba is back in the country after attending the
Council of African Political Parties (CAPP) in Latin American.

Mr Kabimba, who is the president of Council of African Political Parties, arrived at Kenneth Kaunda international airport today at about 15:45 hours aboard Ethiopian airlines.

Mr Kabimba refused to give an interview to journalists at the airport. While abroad, delivered a key note to discuss the uniting of political parties in Africa, Asia and Latin and Central America.

Nkwazi arrest Nkana’s league title chase

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Struggling Nkwazi have slowed down Nkana’s march toward their 12th FAZ Super Division title after stunning the Kitwe side 1-0 at home on Sunday afternoon.

Prior to this match Nkana needed two wins to claim the league title.

Augustine Mulenga scored the goal as Nkwazi ended Nkana’s 11-month home unbeaten run.

Mulenga tapped in from close range three minutes into the first half.

After scoring an early goal David Musole’s team endured massive pressure from Nkana before the half time break.

Nkana forcefully pushed for an equaliser that never came as Festus Mbewe and Reynold Kampamba wasted several scoring opportunities.

The second half was a more one sided affair as Nkana dominated play but could not find the back of the net.

Leaders Nkana remain seven points clear off second placed Zesco United who lost 2-1 away at Konkola Mine Police on Saturday.

Nkana are on 54 points and still need six points from the remaining four matches to win the league title.

[standings league_id=1]

Arrows down Kalulushi

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Red Arrows have moved into fourth place on the FAZ Super Division table after beating Kalulushi Modern Stars 2-1 in Kitwe today.

This was Arrows’ first win in their last six matches that saw George Lwandamina’s team record five straight draws.

First half goals from Stanley Nshimbi and Patrick Musonda were enough as Arrows increased their tally to 45 points.

Nshimbi was on target after 24 minutes before Kalulushi’s Berrington Clarence equalised five minutes later.

Arrows went up again when Musonda inked the winner in the 37th minute.

Earlier, Kalulushi had missed a chance to equalise when Josphat Kasusu’s penalty hit the upright.

Kalulushi were awarded a spot-kick after Chipolopolo defender Bronson Chama had handled in the box.

This result is a blow to Kalulushi’s fight against demotion.
The struggling side is placed third from the bottom of the table on 20 points.

King Cobra’s Government—A Den of Robbers!

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Vice President Guy Scott ( seated on far right), some cabinet ministers and officials enjoying dinner at Ocean Basket in Livingstone
Vice President Guy Scott ( seated on far right), some cabinet
ministers and officials enjoying dinner at Ocean Basket in Livingstone

More money in Politicians pockets

As I read about the new salaries awarded to senior government officials, parliamentarians, and the President, I was taken aback. Then I remembered an incident in the bible when Jesus cleansed the temple with the words—“My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:12). The parliament is meant to serve the people’s interests, but under PF, it has become “a den of robbers,” waiting to raid our coffers.

Among the Bembas, it is said, “imfula pakuya epo yona ifisabo,” (when the rain is about to end, it spoils the harvest) and rightly so. Is it that the PF government knows that its days are numbered, and the best it can do is to steal as much as possible? It is not long ago that we heard about the excessive salaries awarded to the Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Solicitor General, among many others; it is not long ago that we heard about the increase of Sata’s salary, and this is the third time in less than three years. Well, I shouldn’t complain – it is perfectly legal!

The PF campaigned on the premise of more money in “our pockets”— alas it’s now “more money” in politicians’ pockets. It is shameful that we can’t pay pensioners and farmers; we can’t create new jobs; we can’t even provide medical care to all Zambians, yet our politicians are busy enriching themselves! I still find it hard to understand that President Sata, the once admired “King Cobra,” is now biting his own people—sending most of us to early death, while enriching himself and his cronies. Let the truth be told—the PF government is manned by egocentric and selfish individuals without an iota of decency.

I am bitter and rightly so. I myself have been there before. I know what it is to go to bed hungry and to walk 72 kilometers on foot to get to school. I lost a nephew, Joe, simply because my mother couldn’t afford malaria drugs! Since then, I have watched so many mothers carry their adult sons and daughters on their backs to UTH.

I have seen families carrying their dead relatives on bikes and ifibara. I have counted so many intelligent kids who are denied a chance to live. Amidst all these depressing realities, President Sata and parliamentarians are proud to rob us—after all, it is perfectly legal.

PF government behaving like “ifiipu” (bedbugs)

It is appalling for President Sata to insult our intelligence by claiming that his salary increment was done by parliament—therefore it is right. In case President Sata doesn’t know, he has the power to veto any bill that contradicts his values—including salary increments. That aside, why should the president’s salary be adjusted the third time when we pay all his expenses? Since coming to power, the PF government has behaved like “ifiipu” (bedbugs), wild dogs, and vultures, waiting to suck every drop of blood from the poor. I know that some of you will call me names—but Sata’s government has become too insensitive to the plight of the poor, making our kaponyas look like angels!

It is time to reform the “Entitlement’s Acts” passed by corrupt and self-seeking parliamentarians. For example, the President is entitled to “a salary and allowances at such rate as the Minister responsible for finance may prescribe.” Our former presidents are entitled to “a tax free monthly pension at the rate of eighty percent of the incumbent President’s salary, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State, three drivers, three motor vehicles with free maintenance and entitlement to fuel.

Mps earn more per sitting than majority Zambians earn per year

Jelita, 15 years emerges from her house in Lusaka's Zingalume slums where she lives with her two sibblings. Beatrice runs a child headed household and she is one of the girls from Zingalume United girls football team who are being educated on child sex abuse, defilement, rape and human trafficking, which may increase with the hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in neighbouring South Africa in 2010. Beatrice is leaving her two sibblings to look after the house because she to go to the football ground to attend lessons on human trafficking and play football. PICTURE BY RICHARD MULONGA.
The majority of Zambians live on less than $1 a day.

Just as presidents rob us, so do parliamentarians. The Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Emoluments Regulation of 2009, Statutory Instrument No. 62, of 2009, states that both elected and nominated Members of Parliaments are entitled to the following: “(a) a prescribed salary, (b) a special allowance, (c) utility allowance and (d) a constituency allowance in addition to other allowances such as sitting allowance, transport allowance and board and lodging, if they were not accommodated at the National Assembly Motel. For example, MPs who sat on the National Constitution Commission received sitting allowances of between $15,000 and $23,000. But they also got midterm and end-of-term gratuities worth over $220,000. In case the president doesn’t know, the majority of Zambians lives on less than 1 dollar a day and few are lucky to get $100 per month, which is less than what our MPs make per sitting.

I realize that these figures may be nothing to some Zambians, especially those who live in the diaspora, but not to me and the majority of Zambians. Why should parliamentarians get paid to sit in parliament—the very work we elected them to do; why should the government build houses for former presidents, whose food, housing, transport, and other needs are met by taxpayers for life? President Kaunda’s house alone cost us over $2 million and millions more are wasted on Sata’s house—the money I believe could save many lives at UTH. Is it that our presidents and politicians are too heartless to feel the plight of commoners? Until public officials learn to feel our pain; until they learn to mourn our dead; until they realize that every Zambian is sacred before God; and that the poor people’s welfare is vital to good governance, they will continue to employ “legal” means to defraud us.
We, the Zambian people, have a moral obligation to stop this robbery once and for all—if we unite. It is deplorable that King Cobra has become the champion of robbers, hiding behind the parliament of plunderers. So to think that something good can come from the PF government is like looking for a good piece of meat in the decomposing carcass. Let us call these guys for who they are—bapompwe, bakabwalala, bakaitemwe and plunderers! How I wish Jesus could enter our parliament today and cleanse it once and for all. I pray that 2016 will be that year!

By Rev. Canon Dr. Kapya John Kaoma

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