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FILE: First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda blesses former minister and permanent secretary in the MMD government Jazzman Chikwakwa who announced his resignation from the opposition party to join the ruling Patriotic Front
A NDOLA Magistrate Court has adjourned the case in Which former mines deputy Minister Jazzman Chikwakwa and his brother maradona are alleged to have obtained two motor vehicles from Allegra mining limited by false pretences.
Magistrate Collins Lundah adjourned the case to a later date after the state who attempted to discharge the case when it came up came for commencement of trail applied for an adjournment.
The state told the court that they needed more time to verify some information with the complainant before discharging the case.
Chikwakwa, 65, of 55 Kopa Road and his brother Marodona, 27, of Petauke Road in Kansenshi residential area in the Ndola appeared in court on Friday last week for commencement of trail.
The former deputy minister in the MMD Government and his brother were alleged to have obtained two Toyota Hilux ABBZ 4325 and ABZ 359 valued at K438 million from Allegra Mining Limited by falsely pretences between March 1 and September 31, last year.
He and his brother were arrested on November 30 last year and pleaded not guilty to the charge to the same court.
Mr Lundah adjourned the case to his next session and told the accused persons that they would be appearing for mention once every month. He extended their police bond.
THE Lusaka High Court has granted an injunction to 167 small-scale farmers of Sinazongwe district in southern province restraining their chief Sinazongwe and an investor from evicting them from their ancestral land and constructing an irrigation dam on the same land.
The villagers who are led by Bernard Siakacha had asked the Court to order that they should not be evicted from the land without compensation as doing so would be unlawful and breach of their fundamental rights.
Two others who have been sued are African Brothers Corporation limited and the Attorney General.
Judge Mubanga Kondolo granted the famers the injunction stopping the defendants from evicting them and tampering with their land until the matter was determined by the court.
The farmers want the court to order that they should not be moved from the land and from constructing an irrigation dam on their land until conclusive arrangements regarding compensation, the provision of dip tanks, grazing land, school, clinic, drinking water, access to ZESCO and others have been finalized for their resettlement.
Additionally, the farmers want that the defendants provide means to them to enable them shift to the new settlement together with their livestock after they have constructed their new homes.
They want the defendants to provide adequate grazing ground, dip tank and water as well as the provision of a school and clinic, safe drinking water for use of the community if they would be settled at a distant place.
They want the court to order that they be presumably settled in Mumbwa or Itezhi tezhi and be issued with title deed as there was no suitable land in Southern province and be awarded damages for trespass.
The farmers stated in their statement of claim that in or about March 2013 the first defendant in his capacity as chief arbitrarily and without the consultation of the plaintiff, initiated the construction of an irrigation dam, and African Brothers had started clearing the site for the construction.
They said the putting up of a dam in their village would force them to leave their villages and they would have nowhere to go as the defendants have not made arrangements for their resettlement.
The farmers further claim that they have on several occasions told the chief of their unwillingness to leave their farms and have met representatives to the District Commissioner for Sinazongwe district over the matter and the Permanent Secretary for Southern province but nothing has been done.
They now want a declaration that the impending forceful removal from their ancestral land and the constructing an irrigation dam on their land without compensation is unconstitutional, unlawful and a breach of their fundamental rights under the constitution.
THE Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) says Government is on course towards reducing unemployment levels in the country as evidenced by the recruitment of more than 4000 teachers countrywide.
BETUZ general secretary Jeffery Simuntala has expressed happiness with Governments decision to recruit 4,300 teachers saying it would reduce on the pupil-teacher ratio.
Mr Simuntala said in an interview yesterday that the union would like to thank Government for employing more teachers because of the shortage of teachers in the country.
Mr Simuntala said the number of pupils was more than teachers and that teachers had a difficult task of teaching as they were outnumbered.
He urged Government to continue recruiting more teachers as it would go a long way and also contribute towards quality education in the country.
And Zambia National Teachers Union (ZNUT) Copperbelt chairperson, David Siamutwa said the recruitment of teachers by Government was a positive move especially that there was a shortage of teachers in the country.
Mr Siamutwa said that he was expecting Government to recruit more teachers on the Copperbelt because the province had a shortage of more than 5,000 teachers.
“We expected Government to recruit more teachers because we have a shortage of teachers here on the Copperbelt province,” Mr Siamutwa said.
Mr Siamutwa further appealed to Government to increase the number of teachers to be recruited in the next recruitment.
He said that it was important that Government addressed the shortage of teachers on the Copperbelt so that the teacher pupil ratio would be balanced.
Zesco United relinquished the FAZ Super Division top spot to Nkana on Sunday after giving away a lead twice to draw 2-2 with Kalulushi Modern Stars in a Week 24 match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Kalulushi defender Angel Kalangu handed Zesco a 23rd minute lead when he scored in his own net tapping in a Jackson Mwanza cross.
Nine minutes later, Clarence Berrington equalised for Kalulushi to ensure that the two teams went to the break with a 1-1 score-line.
Kalulushi went down again after Mwanza fired home from inside the box following a defensive lapse on 66 minutes.
With Zesco seemingly heading for victory Kalulushi proved to have had other ideas when Josphat Kasusu scored from close range in the 72nd minute.
Four minutes from time keeper Lennon Muma kept Kalulushi into the game when he saved a Mwelwa Mwape free kick from the edge of the box.
Zesco drop into second place with 46 points, two below leaders Nkana who thumped Nchanga Rangers 4-1 in the later match at the same venue.
Health Minster Joseph Kasonde has bemoaned the high levels of blindness in the country saying that an estimated 150, 000 people are blind.
Dr. Kasonde said levels of blindness were still very high in Zambia a situation he described as unacceptable considering the fact that about 80 per cent of all blindness are avoidable or reversible.
Speaking during the launch of this year’s World Sight Day Commemorations held in Kitwe yesterday, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to fight blindness.
He observed that the magnitude of the problem of blindness in the country and its effects were devastating socially and economically hence government’s commitment in eliminating blindness among its citizens.
He said government had mobilized resources for programmes towards the elimination of blindness.
The health Minister explained that government had commissioned three state of the art eye facilities in Lusaka, Mongu and Kitwe which he said will enable people access affordable high quality specialist eye care locally.
Dr. Kasonde further reaffirmed government’s commitment to the vision 2020 right to sight initiative which is a global campaign under the World Health Organization.
The campaign is aimed at soliciting support and effort towards elimination of avoidable and reversible blindness world over to which Zambia is a signatory.
The campaign came about as a realization that the number of blind people will double by the year 2020 if sufficient measures are not taken to eliminate blindness.
And Kitwe Central Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent John Mwewa said the high rate of blindness in Zambia needs a lot of intervention to reverse the situation.
Dr. Mwewa observed that restoration of sight through cataract surgery has been one of the most cost-effective health interventions in addressing reversible blindness.
He said that so far a total of 350,000 people have been attended to and that 30, 000 successful cataract operations have been conducted on the patients.
He said the hospital has also opened a retina specialty centre which is the only one in the country.
Dr. Mwewa observed that the Paediatrics Clinic had also grown in the past three years with the number of children being seen increasing from 1000 to 3000 annually under which the number of paediatrics cataract surgeries had increased from 30 to 100 annually.
This year’s World Sight day was commemorated under the theme‘Working together to eliminate blindness’.
Northmead Assembly of God Church Bishop Joshua Banda
A clergyman in Lusaka has urged Journalists in the country against antagonizing people in the media.
Northmead Assemblies of God Senior Pastor Joshua Banda says the church is being irritated by some articles in the media.
Bishop Banda accused the media of fuelling confusion in the country by what they publish in both the electronic and print media.
Bishop Banda was speaking during the inter-denomination national prayer service held at Cathedral of the Holy cross organized by three church mother bodies namely, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC).
He said prayer requests at the church in Lusaka and other parts of the country were conducted to allow God to intervene but such prayers were frustrated by what Journalists write.
He said the media and some political players were a let down to the nation and the church because of issuing provocative articles attributed to politicians.
The clergyman advised the scribes to be responsible and analyse issues before publishing them in order to foster peace that was achieved by our fore fathers.
The national prayer service was attended by first Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba, opposition political leaders, senior government officials and devoted Christians from various churches.
And First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda has called for national unity among Zambians.
Dr. Kaunda says national unity can be attained and maintained if Zambians adhere to the biblical commandments.
Dr. Kaunda condemned tribal sentiments by some leaders because Zambia is founded on the motto One Zambia One Nation.
He said Zambia is a Christian nation and those advocating for immoral vices were defying the Bible.
He was speaking at the Inter-domination National Prayer Service held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross organized by the Council of Churches in Zambia-CCZ, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia -EFZ and the Zambia Episcopal Conference-ZEC.
And speaking during the sermon, Bishop Boniface Nkonde said it is vital to pray for the leaders in the country.
Bishop Nkonde said if leaders are not prayed for they are susceptible to bad influence.
The prayers were attended by opposition political party leaders, senior government official , the clergymen and devoted Christians.
Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema says the successful holding of Sunday’s Mandevu rally has broken the back of the Public Order Act.
Mr. Hichilema said the UPND has managed to successfully protect and safeguard the country’s democracy following the holding of the rally at Mutende grounds in Mandevu.
“We have broken the back of Public Order Act. All political parties are now free to hold rallies. Don’t be afraid to go ahead and organise rallies. The UPND has restored our freedoms as a people,” Mr Hichilema told a cheering crowd.
He said the fore fathers fought hard for democracy and that they should be emulated.
“We now have a duty to deliver economic and social freedom. Our freedom fighters were not afraid to fight. Let’s take out our fear factor so that UPND can win the next election and liberate this country economically and socially.”
Mr Hichilema who catalogued a number of national issues on which the PF has allegedly failed to deliver said the UPND deserves a chance to govern Zambia.
“All opposition parties should unite around the UPND. Our friends in the MMD should rest, they had 20 years to rule this country, we love them but they should give us a chance. The PF has failed and the UPND is the obvious choice,” Mr Hichilema stated.
UPND rally Mandevu
He encouraged UPND members to encourage and embrace new members.
“UPND is not Hakainde. UPND is not Canisius Banda or Kapita. Kapita this is not your party, it os the people’s party. Let’s welcome all new members as we built a strong party.”
On governance, Mr Hichilema charged that the PF has failed to govern the country using sound governance principles and the rule of law.
“Mr Sata said he will use the Ten Commandments to govern this country but looking at the way this country is going, we don’t know which Bible he reads.”
He also condemned the manner in which the PF government is “brutalizing” former President Rupiah Banda.
“Mr Sata, please leave RB alone. Allow him to enjoy his retirement. Stop brutalizing Mr Banda. We promise we will not brutalize you when you leave that office. We will take care of you and other former Presidents,” Mr Hichilema stated.
The UPND President also demanded that the Anti-Corruption Commission takes up allegations by Vice President Guy Scott and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba that some senior PF government officials are corrupt.
“This is the man who told us that he is allergic to corruption, we want the ACC to step in and investigate the confirmations from Guy Scott and Kabimba, we believe a white man does not tell lies so the ACC should act quickly on these allegations,” he said.
Part of the crowd that attended the UPND rally
Mr Hichilema also demanded that President Sata’s government releases all the 84 Barotse detainees including former Ngambela Clement Sinyinda.
“This man (Sata) has arrested and ill-treated more Liyungandambos than Mr Banda ever did. You have arrested Hon. Sinyinda for performing his duties. Hon Sinyinda called the Barotse National Council in his official role as Ngambela and you arrested him for treason. Please Mr Sata, release these innocent people forthwith.”
Mr Hichilema said the UPND will use the Barotseland agreement of 1964 which he called a legal document as a basis of devolution of power across the country.
He said the UPND will never interfere in the traditional affairs of the Royal Establishments.
“We will respect the BREW, we will respect Mwine Lubemba and all traditional leaders because we treat them as partners in development,” he said.
Mr Hichilema reiterated that the PF government’s decision to remove fuel and maize subsidies has thrown more Zambians into poverty.
“The cost of living has gone up, bus fare have gone up the price of cement has gone up, food and other essential commodities’ have also gone up.”
Mr Hichilema stated that the UPND will restore fuel and maize subsidies once voted into power.
“We will bring back these subsidies as a way of reducing the cost of living. We will also offer free education to all Zambian children. We will pay pensioners their dues within reasonable time.”
He said Zambia is such a blessed nation and its citizens do not deserve to be suffering the way they do.
“Let me speak to you as a business person. We have a beautiful country. Zambia is a highly blessed country. We have a small population but plenty of natural resources. We are poor because of bad leadership, vote for UPND, vote for economic and social freedom,” he said.
Other speakers at the rally included the party’s two Vice President’s Canisius Banda and Richard Kapita, former Deputy Speaker Mutale Nalumango and other provincial leaders.
Political activist Dante Saunders and a horde of bus drivers endorsed Mr Hichilema as their preferred candidate in the next general election.
At the same rally, youthful politician James Lukuku dissolved his own political party to back the UPND whole renowned Musician Petersen performed the famous anti PF song Bufi.
Rampant Nkana assumed sole leadership of the FAZ Super Division on Sunday after thumping Nchanga Rangers 4-1 in a delayed Week 24 match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Nkana have since opened a two point lead at the summit of the table after now second placed Zesco United drew 2-2 with Kalulushi Modern Stars in the lunch-time kick off match at the same venue.
Nkana went up in the first minute when winger Kelvin Mubanga tapped in from close range before Nchanga’s Martin Daka levelled four minutes later.
Mubanga completed his brace on 37 minutes after scoring from a free kick beating keeper Toaster Nsabata who was later replaced by Rabson Mucheleng’anga.
Reynold Kampamba made sure Nkana went into the break 3-1 up when he lobbed Mucheleng’anga and later completed his brace with a 54th minute goal.
Nkana are now on 48 points with a game in hand against Kalulushi.
Nkwazi coach David Musole is content with the 1-1 draw the Police outfit forced against Konkola Mine Police in a FAZ Super Division Week 24 match at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Saturday.
Musole’s team gave away a first half lead to escape from Chililabombwe with a point in the match dominated by the home side.
He described the stalemate as a good result for Nkwazi.
“It was a very tough game as both teams are fighting relegation,” Musole said.
“It’s good that we got a point from this game,” he adds.
Musole saluted his team for their resilience.
“It’s a good from my boys they did a good job away.”
Promoted Nkwazi are eleventh on the table with 28 points from 23 matches.
Minister of Commerce,Trade and Industry Emmanuel Chenda
The Government has issued Statutory Instrument (SI) number 59 of 2013 to effectively monitor the quality of electrical cables on the market, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Emmanuel Chenda has said.
Mr Chenda said the SI will be implemented through the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), following the provision of cable testing equipment and manpower by the Zambia Metal Fabricators (ZAMEFA) last week.
He said the implementation of the SI could not be done without the availability of test equipment and trained manpower.
Mr Chenda said this in Luanshya last Friday when he graced the official handover of the cable quality testing equipment by ZAMEFA to ZABS.
The cable testing equipment which was valued at US$ 26,547.68 was coupled with a three week training programme for two ZABS employees who have been tutored by ZAMEFA on how to handle the machinery.
“This handover was as a result of an engagement between ZAMEFA and ZABS, in 2012, following a request for Zambian standards on electrical cables to be declared compulsory, to maintain quality on the local market and enhance safety.
“While Government through the ZABS recognised the need to effectively monitor the quality of electrical cables on the market, the implementation of the SI could not be done without test equipment and trained manpower.
“However, with this in place, ZABS will now be in a position to implement SI 59 of 2013 to effectively monitor the quality and safety of imported and locally manufactured products,” he said.
Mr Chenda said implementing the SI will help minimise the dangers that may be caused by poor quality cables to infrastructure and human life.
ZAMEFA acting managing director Roseta Mwape said the company made the investment in the machinery to support Government in enforcing product quality rules and regulations.
“This investment in training and manpower will enable ZABS to test products locally and those being imported into the country, and ZAMEFA is prepared to go a step further to ensure that ZABS enforces this strategy in terms of inspection.
Ms Mwape said the manufacturing industry could not survive if bureaus of standards had no capacity and vigilance to ensure that the country is not subjected to low quality commodities.
THE Zambian government has started opening offices for tourism promotion in countries like South Africa, France, Spain, Britain and United States (US) of America, Tourism Arts Permanent Secretary George Zulu has said.
Mr Zulu said his ministry through the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has embarked on a programme of boosting the economy by way of marketing the country abroad through the tourism sector.
He said that the Zambian economy could develop rapidly through the tourism sector.
He said projects to market Zambia abroad were already underway as the ZTB had already started opening offices in the mentioned countries.
He stated that the ZTB wanted to create joint office with the ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in china to strengthen Zambia’s economic relations with that country.
“There’s great potential in the tourism industry to boost the Zambian economy more than in other sectors because the hospitality of the nation draws tourists into the country.
“Our aim is not only to focus on foreigners and how well we can market Zambia internationally but we are also taking into consideration the local people’s interests and that’s why the board targets the employment of 300,000 locals in the tourism industry only,” he said.
Mr Zulu said tourism would greatly be contributing to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation through its operations.
He said marketing Zambia abroad would only boost economic growth and promote strong international relations.
The opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP)has called on republican president Michael Chilufya sata to address the nation on how he intends to put to an end the wrangles that have rocked the patriotic front (PF) party.
Responding to a question during the launch of the “cloths for change” initiative in Lusaka today, Narep president Elias Chipimo junior says as the leader of the ruling pf, president sata should come out in the open and discipline his party officials.
Mr. Chipimo says there is need for the pf top leadership to practice tolerance and foster development.
he has since urged the church mother bodies to take the lead in guiding the nation in prayers for various leaders in the country.
Mr. Chipimo has added that the ‘cloths for change’ initiative which NAREP has launched today is aimed at responding to the terrible suffering that the country is witnessing as across the country.
He notes that as he toured the nation, he has noted that people are suffering more especially in rural areas and this initiative will help them to improve their lives.
I am writing to highlight something which the the political leadership in this country does not seem to know anything about. The other day Konkola Copper mines (KCM) closed one of the plants (east mill).
This plant used to have a lot of employees and so far their fate is still unknown. This is only the beginning of worse things to come because the Indians have failed to run this very viable mine properly.
We don’t know why the government has failed to see that KCM is a disaster in waiting. It is a time bomb and if the government doesn’t want to do something about it, they will be caught unaware. The entire company will close as the so called investors don’t even have an idea of how to run a mining company. The government should start looking for another investor otherwise they will look very irresponsible.
This is a timely warning. Political leaders should spend time attending to serious issues than insulting each other. The foreign affairs minister the other day visited KCM plants and was moving around KCM plants with KCM management and asking lower level employees questions about the company in the presence of KCM management. Wilbur Simusa must realize that KCM management didn’t vote for him.
He should have met the workers alone so that they are able to tell him the truth. Please we the people that work there are seeing these things and the situation is very desperate. Don’t be cheated by the KCM adverts you see on ZNBC tv. The indians are just buying time. This will be another BINANI disaster that the Indians brought to Luanshya.
“Write the vision [dream] and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
(Habakkuk 2:2, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever known someone who had an exciting dream to do something great but did nothing to make it happen? It’s so important to act on the dreams that God has given you. You can take ownership of your dreams by planning and preparing for them. Remember, success is not accidental. Where do you see yourself in your career, finances or relationships? Put some action behind what you’re believing for. Maybe you don’t see how it can happen in the natural. The good news is you don’t have to have it all figured out. With your faith and obedience, God will work supernaturally in your situation to turn things around for good.
Believe in your dreams today. I encourage you to write down your short and long-range goals. Keep them in front of you so you will stay focused. When you make a move, God will direct your steps. He’ll make sure you come across the right people, at the right time. God will give you wisdom, insight and favor as you take steps to bring your dreams to pass.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for the dreams You have given me. Today I will take steps toward seeing them come to pass. Help me to set goals and map out steps for victory so that I know where I’m going and how to accomplish my dreams. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
