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Government gives Shoprite 10 days to conclude salary negotiations

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Striking workers from Shoprite Kitwe branch seated at the freedom statue a few meters away from the Shoprite premises
Striking workers from Shoprite Kitwe branch
seated at the freedom statue a few meters away from the Shoprite
premises

GOVERNMENT has given Shoprite management a 10 day ultimatum to conclude salary negotiations with National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (NUCIW).

Labour deputy ministers, Ronald Chitotela and Rayford Mbulu urged all striking shoprite workers to resume work to pave way for salary negotiations.

In an interview yesterday after addressing both management and the union officials in a prolonged meeting that took the whole morning in Lusaka, the deputy ministers said government expected the stakeholders to corporate and improve the conditions of service.

“We have been locked up in a meeting since morning with both Shoprite management and NUCIW union officials with a view to reach consensus and resolve the issues raised by the striking workers, we have managed to convince them to go back for work today, we are hoping that management will comply with our directive and finish negotiations within 10 days,” Mr Mbulu said.

And NUCIW president Robert Munsanje expressed happiness at the outcome of the meeting by the two deputy ministers and management officials saying had the two government officials not decided to show concern, the strike would have continued until their issues were addressed.

He said the workers had been briefed over the outcome of the meeting and all agreed to resume work today.

“As a union we are happy that government has come in quickly to intervene in the matter because the members concerns had been hanging for a long time without being resolved as management was giving many excuses, we ask government to continue checking on the progress to see whether the directive is being heeded,” he said.

Unionized Shoprite employees on Monday downed tools pressing management to improve their conditions of service.

The striking workers were protesting against management’s alleged failure to implement the Government’s prescribed minimum wage.

The workers complained that the least paid worker gets between K400 and K600 which is below the minimum wage and the workers had been hoping their superiors would come up with meaningful increments instead of offering a K160. The workers were demanding a minimum increment of K450.

PF councillor arrested for alleged exam malpractices

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POLICE in Luanshya have arrested Patriotic Front (PF) Mpatamatu ward 22 councillor Amon Masala for alleged examination malpractices.

Copperbelt Province acting commissioner of police Joyce Kasosa confirmed in an interview in Ndola on Monday that Masala, 40, of house number 533 Section 24, Mpatamatu in Luanshya, was arrested on Sunday around 15:00 hours.

Ms Kasosa said Masala was arrested at Mpatamatu market when he attempted to photocopy Grade 12 examination papers for mathematics, physics and chemistry.

She also said police confiscated the photocopier which was being used to photocopy the examination papers.

“Masala is in police custody and the photocopier was also confiscated. We have instituted investigations into the matter,” Ms Kasosa said.

She warned that police will not hesitate to arrest individuals engaging in examination malpractices.

Ms Kasosa said police on the Copperbelt are proactively monitoring all towns in the region to curb examination malpractices.

“We want to ensure that all the culprits are brought to book because examination malpractices are a serious offence,” Ms Kasosa said.

On Saturday, five teachers in Kalulushi along with 12 pupils from various schools in Kitwe were arrested for alleged examination malpractices.

Acting Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu assures the Parliament that the Constitution will not be doctored

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Acting Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu assures the Parliament that the Constitution will not be doctored
Edgar Lungu
Edgar Lungu

GOVERNMENT has assured the nation that the Constitution will be delivered according to the wishes of people.

Acting Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu told Parliament yesterday that there should be no fear that the document will be doctored.

He was responding to a question from Lubansenshi Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka (Independent), who wanted to know whether the draft constitution will be submitted to the President and members of the public simultaneously.

“There is no fear whatsoever in us. We were elected by the people and this document [Constitution] is for the people,” Mr Lungu said.

Senga Hill Member of Parliament (MMD) Kapembwa Simbao said he is not certain whether or not the submissions of the people would be safe if the document is first submitted to the President before the public.

“Will our submissions be safe? Will they not be manipulated?” Mr Simbao asked.

Mr Simbao’s views were supported by Chembe MP, Mwansa Mbulakulima (MMD), who expressed fear that the document might be doctored.

But Mr Lungu maintained that the PF wants a people-driven constitution.

He said there is no need for anyone to fear that the constitution may be altered.

HH visits the technical committee drafting the new constitution

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HH visits the technical committee drafting the new constitution
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema

The Technical Committee drafting the constitution has assured that it will conclude its work on 31st October 2013.

The Committee is however not sure when the document will be handed over to the President and the Public simultaneously as it can only be decided by the executive.

Technical Committee spokesperson Ernest Mwansa said the committee has received the report and the final draft from the editors who were tasked to proof read the document.

And Mr. Mwansa has disclosed that the technical committee starts its sittings tomorrow to look at the recommendations that have been made by the editors.

He was speaking in Lusaka this afternoon when UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema paid a courtesy call on the technical committee at its secretariat.

Meanwhile,Mr. Mwansa said the technical committee has so far spent slightly over K100 million on the constitution making process.

And Mr. Mwansa said the technical committee has made changes to the bill of rights and will recommend to government that a referendum on the constitution be held.

He however emphasized that whatever happens to the document after it has been handed over to President Sata and the Public is none of its business as its mandate ends on 31st October 2013.

And UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema said lack of a definitive time to conclude the process is a source of concern to members of the public.

He said the escalating cost of the constitution making process is also raising concerns hence the need for the committee to conclude its works quickly

Dr Kaseba arrives in Johannesburg for Frontline Heroes Award

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Vice-President Dr Guy Scott with his wife Charlotte and First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba in South African. This was when Dr Kaseba arrived in Sandton to attend the GBCHealth Africa Regional Conference 2013, at which she is expected to be presented with the Frontline Heroes Award
Vice-President Dr Guy Scott with his wife Charlotte and First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba in South African. This was when Dr Kaseba arrived in Sandton to attend the GBCHealth Africa Regional Conference 2013, at which she is expected to be presented with the Frontline Heroes Award

First Lady, Christine Kaseba, has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she will be honoured with a Frontline Heroes award for her exemplary contributions to the health sector at the GBC Health Africa regional conference.

The conference serves as a hub for private sector engagement on the world’s most pressing health issues with an intention of fostering closer, strategic and effective public-private collaborations to enhance efforts in the attainment of MDGs on health.

The GBC Health Africa regional conference, which runs from tomorrow will be held under the theme ‘Where Business meets to help global issues become local results.’

The conference will also draw participation from other high ranking officials, among them Health Ministers from South Africa, Aaron Motsoaledi, Nambia, Richard Kamwi and Nigeria, Onyebuchi Chukwu, Deputy CEO Illovo Sugar, Gavin Dalgeish, and the Executive Secretary of African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Joy Phumaphi, among others.

On arrival at Sandton Intercontinental Hotel, Dr Kaseba was received by vice President, Guy Scott, his wife, Charlotte and Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Muyeba Chikonde.

The First Lady will on tomorrow address students, staff and other guests at a high profile medical school, the Medical University of South Africa (MENDUSA).

She will later attend a VIP reception, at the Midrand Conference Centre which will be co- hosted by the Stop TB, the international Organization for Migration and Global Health and Diplomacy.

Dr Kaseba will also join Chief Executive Officers in Southern Africa as they discuss issues of malaria under the theme “Leaders in Malaria Accelerators in Elimination.”

The high level panel will also include Namibia’s and Nigeria’s Health Ministers, Richard Kamwi and O. Chukwu, Deputy CEO Illovo Sugar, Gavin Dalgeish, and the Executive Secretary of African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Joy Phumaphi among others, at the Midrand Conference Centre.

She will on Friday, join a panel with Professor Chukwu and the UNAIDS regional director of Eastern and Southern Africa, Professor Sheila Tlou, at the meeting which will address best practices on women’s and reproductive health and the elimination of Mother-to-Child
Transmission of HIV.

As matron of a Cervical Cancer programme, the First Lady will, together with Professor Tlou, lead the SADC cervical cancer launch and the crisis state of regional cervical cancer in the SADC region.

The forum is intended to discuss and make important announcements related to their work on TB and cervical cancer in the region.

The SADC Secretariat will lead the conversation in positioning of the SADC regional strategy and plan of action and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The First Lady will be presented with a Frontline Hero’s award later in the evening at a full gala dinner which will be hosted to honour most exceptional companies of 2013.

On Friday, She will deliver a keynote speech at the conference plenary and later join a panel in her capacity as World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador against Gender Based Violence.

The panellists will also include South Africa’s special advisor to the Minister of Social Development, Zane Dangor and Botswana’s Attorney General, Athalia Molokomme.

ZANIS

Beaumelle takes positives from loss

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Interim Zambia coach Patrice Beaumelle has praised his sides’ performance despite their loss to five-time World champions Brazil.

Brazil beat Zambia 2-0 in a friendly at the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing China on Tuesday.

The 2014 World Cup hosts cut their way to victory after scoring both their goals via set pieces.

Oscar put Brazil ahead from a free kick in the 61st minute and Dede while headed in a Neymar free kick five minutes later.

“We had a good game. Boys played well, we made two mistakes they cost us but overall I am satisfied. The boys showed a lot of determination and the heart and showed the world and Africa that they belong to this high level,” Beaumelle said.

And Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari described Zambia as a great side.

“Zambia is a great team. They made it difficult for us because they were very competitive,” Scolari said.

“We are satisfied with this result but I am sure Zambia too.
“They are a great team who work for each other.”

Zambia make Brazil work hard for win

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Patrice Beaumelle began his stint as interim Zambia coach on a positive note with a narrow 2-0 friendly loss to five time World champions Brazil in Beijing today.

Zambia held their own despite being under the cosh for most of the 90 minutes from the 2014 Fifa World Cup hosts in the two sides first ever meeting.

The first half ended scoreless with Kennedy Mweene the hero keeping out sure chances from Neymar and Pato.

The deadlock was broken after 60 minutes of action when 46th minute substitute Oscar put Brazil ahead with a free kick.

Dede extended Brazil’s lead when he headed in Neymar’s free-kick.

Tenacious Zambia marginal loss came after they were hit by seven key absentees for the match due.

Collins Mbesuma, Davies Nkausu and Mukuka Mulenga were all ruled out due to injury.

However, Beaumelle’s first day at the office was also hit by a club-versus-country row after TP Mazembe refused to release Rainford Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala and Stopilla Sunzu citing illness and injury.

Bridget Atanga expels Sikwiindi Situla from PF over the Fourth Republic Party

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Bridget Atanga expels Sikwiindi Situla from PF over the Fourth Republic Party
Bridget Atanga
Bridget Atanga(L)

Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga has with immediate effect expelled the party’s Assistant Secretary General Political Sikwiindi Situla for been linked to the Fourth Republic Party.

Mrs Atanga said this in a letter addressed to Mr Situla which was also copied to President Michael Sata, PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba, National Chairperson and the PF Chairperson for Disciplinary Committee.

She said Mr Situla’s expulsion is in connection with the letter she wrote to him on October 14 where she suspended him and asked him to exculpate himself within 24 hours over the revelations that he is linked to a parallel structure within the PF known as the Fourth Republic Party.

Mrs Atanga said to her surprise, on the same date, Mr Situla was quoted on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) mains news to have said that the suspension was null and void saying he reports directly to the President and not the Deputy Secretary General.

“I wonder which ‘President Mr Situla is referring to because President Sata cannot tolerate such indiscipline. I don’t know maybe he reports to another ‘President’, I wrote a letter to him but he decides to answer through the media,” Mr Atanga said.

She said that Mr Situla was not operating from the party secretariat but that he was operating at PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba’s law firm.

She said it was unfortunate that Mr Situla had continued to issue tribal statements, which was not allowed, as this could cause further divisions.

[pullquote]“I wonder which ‘President Mr Situla is referring to because President Sata cannot tolerate such indiscipline. I don’t know maybe he reports to another ‘President’[/pullquote]

She challenged him to name the Permanent Secretaries and Ministers that were allegedly spearheading tribalism in the Government.

“This kind of talk is deadly, we don’t want blood-shed in the country, let him mention which Ministers and Permanent secretaries that are tribal, let him tell the public,” she said.

The PF Deputy Secretary General said she therefore finds Mr Situla to be very indiscipline and has used the powers instilled in her as Deputy Secretary General to expel him (Mr Situla) from the PF as Assistant Secretary General Political.

Mrs Atanga has since wished Mr Situla all the best in his future endeavours.

ZANIS

FINAL SCORE: Zambia 0 : 2 Brazil

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Government installs digitalised libraries in all the ten provinces across the country

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Zambia Library Service Chief Librarian Bwato Robinson (l) shows Education Minister Dr. John Phiri (c) the Mongu Libraryduring the Launch of the National Libraries Week at Mongu Librabry in Mongu
Zambia Library Service Chief Librarian Bwato Robinson (l) shows Education Minister Dr. John Phiri (c) the Mongu Libraryduring the Launch of the National Libraries Week at Mongu Librabry in Mongu

Government has installed digitalised libraries in all the ten provinces across the country in order to raise the reading and literacy levels in the country.

Education Minister, John Phiri, says the digitalisation was installed using e-granary in all provincial libraries, colleges and provincial resource centres.

Dr Phiri says the installation of e-granary was done with support from the Flemmish Association for Technical Cooperation and Development Assistance that was working closely with his ministry.

He disclosed that the same facilities will be installed in district resource centres and will be extended to the school libraries and tertiary institutions.

The minister said this in Mongu today when he launched the Library Week. The Library Week has begun today ends on Friday, October, ends on October 18 under the theme ‘libraries in a changing environment’ and various activities have been lined up for the week.

The e-granary facility enables one to have access to a wide range of electronic resources up to 50 million websites even where there is no internet connectivity.

Dr Phiri said in order to improve the operations of the libraries in the country, his ministry is working with the national library and information policy and school college library manual besides deploying qualified personnel, provision of modern books and rehabilitating dilapidated libraries in the country.

And speaking earlier, Mongu Chief Librarian, Mary Maamba, expressed hope that the reading culture among members of the public including school pupils, college and university students would now increase following the digitalised libraries at the provincial town.

Ms Maamba disclosed that readers who visit the library stand at 75 on a daily basis.

Library and Information Association of Zambia President, Velenasi Munsanje, appealed to government to come up with the legal framework to back library services in the country.

Ms Munsanje said her association has come up with a draft bill for on-ward consideration to Cabinet on regulating libraries.

The official launch of Library Week was attended by Western Province Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga, Provincial Education Officer, Muyangwa Kamutumwa, Mongu District Commissioner, Maurice Litula, senior government officials, school head teachers, pupils and students including parents and members of the community.

FAWEZA Mongu District Charperson Limpona Nakwebwa (l) listens to Education Minister Dr. John Phiri (r) the books as Western Province Ps Amos Malupenga looks on during the Launch of the National Libraries Week at Mongu Librabry in Mongu Western Province
FAWEZA Mongu District Charperson Limpona Nakwebwa (l) listens to Education Minister Dr. John Phiri (r) the books as Western Province Ps Amos Malupenga looks on during the Launch of the National Libraries Week at Mongu Librabry in Mongu Western Province

ZANIS

300 teachers had fake papers-Dr. Phiri

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Dr JOHN PHIRI
Dr JOHN PHIRI

Minister of Education, Science, vocational Training and Early Education, John Phiri has disclosed that there were 300 teachers suspected of having faked papers and attempted to be recruited by government this year.

Dr. Phiri said the affected teachers have since been referred to the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) for certification and verification of their academic documents.

He said the 300 teachers who had fake papers were desperate to be employed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocation and Early Education.

He said this in Mongu today when he paid a courtesy call on Western Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Amos Malupenga.

He said arising from this, government did not reach its target of recruiting 4,500 teachers in the education sector.

Recently, government recruited slightly over 4,000 teachers.

And Dr. Phiri has bemoaned the low reading culture among pupils in the country.

Dr. Phiri said reading should be started at a tender age and should be consistent in one’s life in learning institutions and other public places.
Earlier, Western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga commended the Ministry of Education for recruiting over 4,000 teachers.

Mr. Malupenga said most schools in the province were experiencing serious shortages of teachers.

The PS disclosed that some of the newly recruited teachers have already reported to their respective schools.

ZANIS

Creation of a social health insurance scheme for the formal sector employees advance

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GOVERNMENT through the ministry of Health has advanced plans of creating a social health insurance scheme for the formal sector employees.

Ministry of Health deputy director Technical Support Services Henry Kansembe said the government wanted to set up the scheme to ensure that public workers and many others have access to good health services.

Speaking yesterday in Kabwe during the sensitisation and publicity meeting for health personnel from Kabwe and Lusaka districts, Mr Kansembe said the ministry had finalised the consultation process and what was remaining was for the Bill to be enacted.

Mr Kansembe said the employees would be required to pay a small amount and their employers to the health insurance Scheme and when they required the health services they would access them at no fee.

And Central Province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale said the country was currently faced with double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and that the government was committed to improving access to health care services for all Zambians.

Ms Mutale said there were few private health insurance schemes in Zambia covering about 1.2 percent of the population which are poorly coordinated and virtually unregulated contributing to frequent entry and exit of private insurance schemes.

She added that the Government intends to establish a social health insurance scheme that is tailored towards achieving universal health coverage in the country and a team of consultants were invited to assist with the design and cost of implications.

Ms Mutale said due to the cost of medical services people usually treat their patients in their homes and when all failed that was when they take them to the hospital which is usually too late.

‘We as Africans have the tendencies to wait till last minute to consult the medical professions mainly because it is cheaper but with this scheme people would be able to access the medical services whenever they have to as they would have already paid for them’, Ms Mutale said.

Banda demands that Chikwelete makes a public apology for ridiculing the party and the republican President

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PF Lusaka District Chairman Goodson Banda
PF Lusaka District Chairman Goodson Banda

Former Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka District chairperson Goodson Banda has demanded a public apology from Chawama Constituency chairperson Robert Chikwelete for allegedly ridiculing the ruling party and republican President Michael Sata.

This follows President Sata denying ever appointing Mr Chikwelete as PF Lusaka district chairman.

Mr. Banda says instead of thanking President Sata, Mr. Chikwelete should make a public apology for claiming that President Sata had appointed him as PF Lusaka District chairperson when in fact not.

He Mr. Chikwelete has exhibited the worst level of indiscipline which should not go unsanctioned.

And Mr Banda has expressed confidence bouncing back as District chairperson once an election is held.

He says he still commands a high level of popularity in the District.

President Sata has directed the provincial committee to call for a district conference where a new Lusaka district chairman will be elected.

Mr. BANDA has told Qfm in an interview that now that President Sata has stated his position on the matter of the legitimate leadership in the District, he will occupy the PF Lusaka District office until such a time when an election is held.

First lady expected in South Africa to receive an award

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FILE: First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba speaks as Central province minister Mwaliteta looks on during Ichibwelamushi Cultural ceremony at Chalata main arena in Mkushi on September 14,2013-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
FILE: First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba speaks as Central province minister Mwaliteta looks on during Ichibwelamushi Cultural ceremony at Chalata main arena in Mkushi on September 14,2013-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA

FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba is today expected in South Africa to attend the 2013 GBCHealth Africa Regional Conference, at which she is expected to be presented with the Frontline Heroes Award.

According to the programme made available to the Zambian High Commission in South Africa, the conference is expected to run from October 15 to 18, 2013 under the theme, ‘Where business meets to help global ideas become local results’, with an audience of 70 percent from the private sector, while the remaining 30 percent is drawn from government, United Nations (UN) and non-governmental organisations.

This is contained in a statement released yesterday by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Patson Chilemba.

The objectives of the conference involve promoting co-ordinated private sector involvement in global health issues, aligned to national agendas, highlight opportunities for business to help accelerate progress towards health-related MDG targets, showcase existing business contributions to global health targets and facilitate dialogue between public and private stakeholders.

Dr Kaseba will be joined at the conference by other high-ranking officials including South Africa’s Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, Nigeria’s Minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu, Namibia’s Minister of Health Richard Kamwi, UNAIDS regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa Sheila Tlou.

During her time in South Africa, Dr Kaseba is expected to address students, staff and invited guests at the high profile Medical University of Southern Africa in Pretoria.
Dr Kaseba will also attend the launch of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) cervical cancer initiative.

On October 17, Dr Kaseba will attend a full gala dinner during which the most exceptional companies in 2013 will be honoured and she will be presented with the prestigious Frontline Leaders Awards.

According to GBCHealth, the Frontline Leaders Award recognises on-the-ground health workers who are making a difference in people’s lives.

On October 18, Dr Kaseba will deliver a keynote address and join the panelists to discuss Gender and SADC in her capacity as World Health Organisation Goodwill Ambassador against gender-based violence.

Slain Zambian soldier was killed in a robbery at his residence-GBM

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Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba
Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba

MINISTER of Defence Geoffrey Mwamba has disclosed that the slain Zambian soldier on a peace-keeping mission in Sudan was killed in a robbery that took place at the gate of his residence.

Mr Mwamba said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Major Alfred Banda, who was in the company of his colleague, only identified as Major Bwalya, was ambushed at the gate while waiting for someone to open it.

“The incident happened on October 11 around 18:30 hours when the two officers had returned from duty. Men armed with pistols and knives opened the doors [of the car], stabbed Major Banda and sped off with a UN vehicle,” he said.

The minister described the incident as a criminal act.

Mr Mwamba said Major Banda’s body will be flown to Zambia this week.

He said a comprehensive report would soon be issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Banda was serving as a military observer of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in El Fasher, North Darfur.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of Major Banda and called on the Government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A message from Mr Ban’s office stated that the UN Secretary General is deeply saddened at the death of a Zambian soldier.

“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen peace-keeper, the Government of Zambia and to all UNAMID personnel,” the statement reads in part.

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