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President Michael Sata being welcomed by Foreign Affairs minister Wylbur Simuusa (c) and Commerce minister Emmanuel Chenda on arrival in New York for the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 23,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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President Michael Sata greets New York Palace Hotel’s staff on arrival in New York for the 68th General Assembly session on September 23,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Zambia’s Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr Mwaba Kasese-Bota (l) receives flowers that were presented to President Sata by New York Palace Hotel’s staff on arrival for the 68th General Assembly session on September 23,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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President Michael Sata with Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr Mwaba Kasese-Bota, Foreign Affairs minister Wylbur Simuusa, Commerce minister Emmanuel Chenda and Zambia’s Ambassador to US Palani Mulonda on arrival in New York for the 68th session of the UN General Assembly on September 23,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Zambia Foreign Affairs Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, talking to Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Great Lakes Region of Africa Mary Robinson at the United Nations, Monday 23 September, 2013. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | GRZ
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Zambia Foreign Affairs Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, talking to Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila at the United Nations, Monday 23 September, 2013. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | GRZ
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Zambia Foreign Affairs Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, talking to Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila (right) at the United Nations, Monday 23 September, 2013. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | GRZ
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Zambia Foreign Affairs Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, talking to South Africa President Jacob Zuma at the United Nations, Monday 23 September, 2013. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA |GRZ
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Zambia Foreign Affairs Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, having bilateral talks with Israel International Relations, Yuval Steintz at the United Nations, Monday 23 September, 2013. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA |GRZ
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Zambia Foreign Affairs Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, signing the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 25 September, 2013. The Arms Trade Treaty is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | GRZ
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Trinidad and Tobago First Lady Reema Carmona welcomes Zambia’s First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba at the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in New York where they held a meeting on September 26,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Trinidad and Tobago First Lady Reema Carmona with Zambia’s First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba at the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in New York where they held a meeting on September 26,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the George W Bush Institute and World Vision African First Ladies Tea in New York on September 25,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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the George W Bush Institute and World Vision African First Ladies Tea at World Vision office in New York on September 25,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba hugs Dr Chewe Luo on arrival at World Vision offices for the George W Bush Institute and World Vision African First Ladies Tea in New York on September 25,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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PF Anti-Kabimba cadres in Kasama carry a mock coffin
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Kasama PF cadres place a black mock coffin wriiten Wynter and then sent the car to Chiba cemetety for burial. They chanted and sang songs anti Kabimba songs
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11 members of the same family died n a road when a Toyota Hiace minibus in which they were travelling collided with a truck on the Ndola-Kapiri Mposhi road, in Kafulafuta.
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11 members of the same family died n a road when a Toyota Hiace minibus in which they were travelling collided with a truck on the Ndola-Kapiri Mposhi road, in Kafulafuta.
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The remains of the gutted laundry unit at Kabwe Mine Hospital
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35 patients were evacuated after a fire which is believed to have started from the laundry unit and spread to some wards at Kabwe Mine Hospital.
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Some of the contestants for the Miss Chipata beauty pageant posing for a photo at Pine View Guest House
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Some of the contestants for the Miss Chipata beauty pageant posing for a photo at Pine View Guest House
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CHINA-Geo Company workers resume their Kasama Township road rehabilitations works which had stalled for over two weeks due to Government not having paid the contractor
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CHINA-Geo Company workers resume their Kasama Township road rehabilitations works which had stalled for over two weeks due to Government not having paid the contractor
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Vice President Guy Scott is presented a gift by China Non-Ferrous Mining Corporation Vice President Sun Jialin (right) as Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao (center) looks on at the opening of the 2013 Zambia International Construction and Light Materials Trade Fare in Lusaka
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Northern Province Minister Obious Chisala after inspecting a dilapidated teachers house at Ngulula primary School during his tour of Mungwi District today. The Deputy Minister was not pleased with what he found and since directed his PS to send auditors at the District Council.
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Northern Province Minister Obious Chisala conducts a random counter check of materials for Chibao Market bought using Constituency Development Fund (CDF) during his tour of Mungwi District today. The Deputy Minister was not pleased with what he found and since directed his PS to send auditors at the District Council
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Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga leads civic leaders from other districts and municipal councils on arrival at Parliament buildings
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President Michael Sata’s official vehicle is accompanied by mounted police on arrival at the National Assembly building
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Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and other judges arrive at the National assembly for the opening of Parliament in Lusaka
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Vice President Guy Scott is accompanied by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mkondo Lungu on arrival at parliament buildings
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The official opening of the National assembly in Lusaka was also attended by heads of diplomatic missions in Lusaka, among them Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao and United Nations Country Director Kani Wignaraja
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Traditional dance troupes and choirs perform within Parliament grounds during the official opening of the National Assembly
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New Revolution Party leader Cosmo Mumba joins in a traditional dance at Parliament grounds
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New Revolution Party leader Cosmo Mumba dances to the music of a Patriotic Front women’s choir at Parliament grounds
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Patriotic Front cadres wave to President Michael Sata at the official opening of the National Assembly.
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President Michael Sata inspects a guard of honour at the official opening of the National Assembly
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President Michael Sata inspects a guard of honour at the official opening of the National Assembly
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Defense personnel perform a match and fly past at the official opening of the National Assembly in Lusaka
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President Michael Sata, who was accompanied by First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba (right), walks side by side with Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini, who was also accompanied by his wife Ethel (left) on arrival at Parliament buildings in Lusaka
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Novartis Pharma Services Manager for Africa Operations, Malaria Initiatives Dr. Nathan Mulure during a breakfast meeting in Lusaka
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Delegates clapping during the second annual Child and Youth Conference regional meeting for Africa at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone
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Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda (second from far right), Bank of Zambia deputy Governor Bwalya Ngandu (far right), Bank of Zambia Head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi (second from far left) admires the various literature from Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) Livingstone official Precious Chilala (far left) at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone
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North-Western province secretary Augustine Seyaba (r) shows deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Peter Kasanda (l) a place where a religious grouping or sect resides along the Mwinilunga- Ikeleng’e road. The group of persons or individuals do not allow children to go to school,not allow children to seek medical attention, identify members by numbers as opposed to names and also promote marriages within the grouping among other things.ZAMBEZI Boarding Secondary School Head teacher Given Mugwagwa (right) with Deputy Secretary to he Cabinet Peter Kasanda (second right), provincial education officer Jennipher Malama and Zambezi district education board secretary (DEBS) Trifornia Tembo during the tour of developmental projects at the learning institution in ZambbeziBuses handed over to Health Training Institutions by Health Minister Dr. Joseph Kasonde at Ndeke House, LusakaHealth Minister Dr. Joseph Kasonde cuts the ribbon to officially handover the buses to Health Training Institutions during the Handover Ceremony of buses at Ndeke House in LusakaDeputy Secretary to the Cabinet Peter Kasanda (kneeling) with Provincial PS Augustine Seyuba (left) pay a courtesy call on snr chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people at his palace in Mwinilunga.Ambasador Kasanda at the source of the Zambezi riverPresident Michael Sata receives an affidavit of oath from newly appointed Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela during the swearing in ceremony at State House in Lusaka
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has named a formidable squad that will face Zambia in the 15 October friendly in China.
Scolari has included Barcelona stars Neymar and Dani Alves in his team to take on the 2012 African champions at the national stadium in Beijing.
Others notables in the Brazil squad are David Luiz and Ramires both from English side Chelsea.
Prior to the Zambia friendly, the 2014 World Cup hosts will face South Korea in another friendly set for 12 October in Seoul.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)
Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Palmeiras), Dede (Cruzeiro), Maicon (AS Roma), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint Germain)
Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Hernanes (Lazio), Luiz Gustavo (VfL Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires, Oscar (both Chelsea)
Forwards: Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Lucas (Paris Saint Germain), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Alexandre Pato (Corinthians), Neymar (Barcelona)
Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Panji Kaunda
Government has kick started the project to loan Public Service Drivers (PSV) 1000 brand new 64 seater buses affiliated to public and private drivers association of Zambia (PPDAZ).
This is part of the strategy to empower the youths.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda said the imported 1,000 buses would be given to youths who would be owners to run the transport business.
Colonel Kaunda said during the handover of the first two busses held at Kapata bus station in Chipata yesterday that the Government would continue with productive means of empowering citizens.
He said the drivers to be empowered would start operating local routes in all the districts of the country.
“Today, for the very first time in Zambia, a driver owns a public service bus and shall commence operations from Chipata to Mambwe districts.
“This bus is the first of the 1000 busses which are coming into Zambia under your ownership and control,” he said.
Col Kaunda said requirements under the scheme entailed that one was a holder of a valid PSV driver’s licence and a member of the PPDAZ.
He said drivers with clean driving records were eligible to own a bus financed by the loan scheme under the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ).
“The faster you pay back for the first bus you got, you qualify for another one. These are brand new busses certified by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA),” he said.
He said the Government would train mechanics for the maintenance of the busses.
He appealed to people to apply to the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and the ministry responsible for youth development for financing the supplies of spares and service parts for maintaining the busses.
Col Kaunda said Investrust Bank and DBZ were also giving the Government favourable response towards possible financing of the initiative.
Speaking earlier, association president Josiah Majuru said the rural –urban migration had lead to a lot of youths not having employment hence indulging in illicit behaviour.
Mr Majuru commended the Government policies that has seen empowerment programme aimed at creating massive employment to young people.
THE Livingstone city council (LCC) has suspended two senior officers for financial irregularities alleged to have been committed shortly before and during the recently hosted 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.
Livingstone mayor Aggrey Njekwa said Council Director of finance Kingsley Muchindu and the Director of Engineering Ben Chiyesu were this week suspended from the local authority for alleged financial mis-appropriation.
Mr Njekwa said in an interview yesterday that he was unable to give more details but confirmed that the two heads of departments were suspended for financial irregularities.
“I can confirm that director of Engineering Dr Chiyesu and Director Finance Mr Muchindu have with immediate been suspended for financial irregularities and this must have been shortly before and during the UNWTO conference,” Mr Njekwa said.
He also confirmed that the council during the same period bought seven vehicles that were distributed to heads of departments without priotising certain needy areas that the local authority needed to look into.
Mr Njekwa also confirmed that retirees had not been paid over a long period of time and workers had also gone for two months without pay a thing him described as unfortunate because the officers needed to priotise such areas.
“We have a situation where workers have gone for two months without pay and retirees have not gotten their packages but seven vehicles are bought, so it’s a matter of priorities because we also have people we owe money,” Mr Njekwa said.
He said most of the unfortunate things happened at a time when the councilors were suspended.
Mr Njekwa also revealed that the workers were planning for a work stoppage, but said that he had taken it upon himself to calm the situation because the Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti was reported out of town.
PEOPLES Party (PP) president Mike Mulongoti has advised Patriotic Front (PF) members to exercise maximum tolerance on each other.
Mr Mulongoti who also invited embattled PF secretary general Wnyter Kabimba to join his party said yesterday that whatever was happening in the ruling party was not health in the country.
He said it was too early for PF members to start quarrelling over the presidency.
He said PF members with ambitions of presidency would have waited rather than causing confusion to the party which formed Government , two years ago.
“The PF members should exercise maximum tolerance on each other like the way UNIP and MMD did before PF came into power because as far as I a m concerned it is too early for PF members to have presidential ambitions,”Mr Mulongoti said.
He said with the confusion in the ruling party it was appearing as if MMD was much stronger than PF.
He said amicable solution should be found in the ruling party so as to end the current infighting among party members.
Mr Mulongoti also advised Mr Kabimba who is Minister of Justice and others to join his political party.
He said his political party was in a process of printing membership cards.
“My friend Mr Wnyter Kabimba with others let them join Peoples Party (PP) because we are still recruiting the members,”Mr Mulongoti said.
FILE: Minister of Sport and Youth Chishimba Kambwili and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba
Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general and Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba has said that he will not resign from his position. In response to people petitioning for his removal, Mr Kabimba said that the petitioners and their paymasters are wasting their time because he will not resign.
Mr Kabimba said he has information that some people were sent to Ndola to pay Mr Chisulo and to sponsor the protests.
“I am not going to resign on account of people being paid. Let them take the money from those who are paying them but I will not resign,” Mr Kabimba said. He added: “Those petitioning and their paymasters are wasting their time.”
And Mr Kabimba accused Chishimba Kambwili of being part of a clique of tribal elements sponsoring anarchy in PF. Kabimba said that Mr Kambwili should know that he Kabimba had a lot of PF supporters who were interested in the affairs of the party.
“I have heard him say that I must stop those that are endorsing me, like the case on Radio Icengelo. I just want to say that this is all part of the scheme by the same guys, the same tribalists that I referred to in The Post.So they are just moving from one scheme to the other. So, they should not think that I do not have people that tell me. The same people that they have teamed with come back and tell me,” said Kabimba.
Meanwhile, National Youth Chairman Chishimba Kambwili has charged that party Secretary General Wynter Kabimba’s arrogance and attitude towards issues will ruin his political career.
Mr Kambwili said the earlier the PF Chief Executive Officer worked on his weakness, the better for him to be able to swim past the political tide that was hovering around him.
“What will hound him out of the party is his personal attitude towards issues and his arrogance. If he can work on his relationship with the cadres, the better for him. The cadres are complaining that when they go to his office they are chased,” he said.
Mr Kambwili told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that it was unfortunate that Mr Kabimba had branded him as a tribalist when his advice to him was unbiased and in the interest of unity in the party.
“My advice to him was not biased. It was balanced advice to the cadres to stop demonstrating and also for Mr Kabimba to apologise,” he said. He said he had never promoted tribalism and that Mr Kabimba knew it so well that he was above board in that area.
He said he was always against cadres rising against senior party officials and that was what he did even when former Foreign Affairs minister Given Lubinda was being harassed by cadres.
Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba also asked Mr Kabimba who is Justice Minister to reflect on the advice given to him by Mr Kambwili instead of launching a witch-hunt by labeling people as being tribalists.
Mr Mwamba also advised party members to forgive Mr Kabimba over his continued disparaging remarks stating that he was going through so much pressure following the number of protests against him to step down as Secretary General of the Party.
Mr Mwamba said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that it was not right for Mr Kabimba to continue with disparaging remarks towards the party, but should rather check himself and find the way forward.
Mr Kabimba was quoted in the media accusing Mr Kambwili of belonging to a clique of tribal elements that had been created in the PF to sponsor anarchy.
This follows Mr Kambwili’s remarks that Mr Kabimba should stop being arrogant and apologise to the party over his remarks that the clique of tribal elements had been created in the party to cause anarchy.
“The advice that Mr Kambwili gave to Mr Kabimba was adequate and there is no need of continuing to attack each other. Mr Kabimba should check himself and find the answer or else he will start witch hunting, suspecting non-existent tribal cliques which are not there,” Mr Mwamba said.
He said Mr Kabimba’s sentiments that that the PF was tribal was a clear indication that he himself was anti-Bemba.
“His sentiments show that he himself does not like the Bembas. The people that are protesting against him are not Bemba, but PF cadres. There is no tribal clique in the party.
“I think we need to forgive our brother over what he is saying, he is in so much pressure following the calls for him to step down as SG,” he said.
He appealed to Mr Kabimba and the members to concentrate on organising the party and show leadership as the way forward.
He said what was causing the confusion was Mr Kabimba’s presidential ambition which he should shelve for now and concentrate on reorganising the party.
Construction of a dam to facilitate the setting up of Batoka Gorge hydroelectric power stations for Zambia and Zimbabwe is expected to start next year after the new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and social impact assessments are concluded.
The estimated cost for the 1, 600 Megawatts (MW) power projects is between US$ 2.5 billion and US$ 3 billion.
Batoka Gorge hydroelectric power stations would be located about 54 kilometres downstream from Victoria Falls extending across the international boundary of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
There will be an 800 MW power plant on the Zambian side and another 800 MW on the Zimbabwean side at Batoka Gorge.
Zambezi River Authority Public Relations and Communications manager Elizabeth Karonga said the desire of the two countries was to put up a dam and kick-start the power projects by next year after the new EIA and social impact assessments were concluded.
The Authority is currently evaluating the bids which were submitted after February 2012 when the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe approved and signed the power agreement project.
Ms Karonga was speaking on Tuesday in Zimbabwe during a media tour of the Batoka Gorge site on the Zimbabwean site.
“Previous EIAs were done in 1993 but these studies have been updated and we are still evaluating the new bidders. Preliminary assessments have been done to facilitate the actual construction of a Dam for Batoka Gorge power stations,” she said.
So far, access roads to the Zimbabwean side and Zambian side of the Gorge have been upgraded.
“We are happy to note that there will be no need for resettling people like the case was during the construction of Kariba Dam. All the previous EIAs done so far are favourable as there will be very little disturbances to surrounding communities,” she said.
Zambezi River Authority hydrology technician Samuel Mwale said the Batoka Dam would be about 181 metres high which is higher than Kariba Dam although it would be smaller in size compared Kariba.
Mr Mwale said the 1600 MW of power to be generated would alleviate the power shortages being experienced in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
On benefits to surrounding community, Mr Mwale said the access roads would improve transportation in the area while nearby schools would be supported.
Former Ngambela of Western Province Clement Wainyae Sinyinda
FORMER Barosteland Ngambela Clement Sinyinda yesterday appeared in the Mongu magistrate court after being charged with an offence of treason following his arrest by police.
Mr Sinyinda was apprehended by police on Tuesday in Mongu from his home for allegedly pushing for the secession of Western Province from the rest of Zambia.
Western Province Police Chief Lombe Kamukoshi, who confirmed the development yesterday, said that Mr Sinyinda would appear in court again on October 10, 2013.
In an interview yesterday, Ms Kamukoshi who could however, not avail more details said that Mr Sinyinda was questioned and charged with a charge of treason.
“He was interrogated and charged with treason felony and he appeared in the Mongu magistrate court today (yesterday) but the matter has been adjourned to October 10, 2013,” she said
According to sources, Mr Sinyinda’s interrogation by police was also in line with his purported communication with fugitive self-imposed Barotseland Administrator General Afumba Mombotwa.
Over 70 people were recently arrested from that province and charged with treason after their ringleaders attempted to hoist a flag to signify the independence of Barotseland from Zambia.
In Livingstone this week, police apprehended two people for publication of seditious materials pertaining to the Linyungandambo Association which was also advocating for secession of Western Province from Zambia.
The duo was found with a computer which was used for publication of business cards, stickers for Baroste police and other rebellious documents for Linyungandambo.
Southern Province Police Chief Charity Katanga named the duo as Dickson Kunda, 29, of Maramba Township in Livingstone and Naude Leon Herinch, 56, a South African national but European of origin.
Their apprehension comes after Linyungandambo Chairperson Afumba Mombotwa was alleged to have circulated a video depicting him to be sworn in as Administrator General of the Barotseland. He is on the run together with his co-conspirators
Agriculture, Cooperatives and Livestock Minister Bob Sichinga
Agriculture Minister Robert Sichinga has assured farmers who have supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency that all their payments will be cleared by the end of October 2013.
Mr Sichinga told parliament in a ministerial statement today that the FRA has so far paid out K11 million representing 20%, with a balance of K418.242 million representing 80 percent awaiting funding, for THE 407,113 metric tons of maize purchased as at 18th September 2013.
Mr Sichinga says the total value of purchased maize stands at K529.25 million.
He also acknowledged that government has exceeded its 14-days deadline within which to pay farmers after delivery of their produce.
Mr Sichinga says government is aware that delay in paying farmers is a legitimate concern, the reason why it is working tirelessly to ensure the continued flow of funding towards the payment of farmers.
And Mr Sichinga says the ministry of Agriculture will use the current Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) system for the distribution of inputs to farmers for the 2013/2014 farming season.
He says this will be done in order to avoid threatening the country’s food security.
Mr Sichinga says the 2013/2014 season will be used as a transitional phase when preparations for the implementation of the E-Voucher will be completed.
Over three hundred suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres have been arrested and charged with criminal trespass for trespassing on a Farm in Lusaka West with intentions of demarcating it into plots.
A group of cadres had illegally allocated to themselves 20 hectors of the 30 hectors Trishul farm land belonging to a Mr. Patel.
Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has told Qfm News that those arrested who include men and women will appear in court to tomorrow, Friday, September 27th.
Mr. Hamoonga has also cautioned members of the public engaging in similar activities in the country that police will not hesitate to arrest them for criminal trespass regardless of political affiliation.
Mr. Hamoonga has further warned that police have enough manpower and fire power to quell any violent people who are found to be trespassing on private land as was observed today at Trishul farm in Lusaka West.
Meanwhile a spot check by a Qfm new crew this afternoon found broken windows to the shopping mall belonging to Mr. Patel which was looted by the cadres during the commotion before police moved in to stop the cadres.
The cadres also attempted to ransack a nearby bank to which they only managed to break windows.
By 14:00hrs this afternoon, smoldering smoke from burnt tyres set on fire by the cadres was still visible and Mumbwa Road which earlier had traffic stopped was open for traffic.
And a shop owner who had his shop looted, Isaac Besa disclosed that about 90 thousand kwacha worth of his goods were looted as well as about 80 thousand kwacha cash that was in shop’s counter till.
He however complained of the delayed response from police to stop the cadres from looting.
Republican Vice president, Dr. Guy Scott has stated that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has not turned the country into a dictatorial state.
Speaking during the BBC Debate on Democracy in Zambia under the PF regime, Dr. Scott says the PF has no intentions of returning the country back to a one party system.
Dr. Scott argues that if the PF has turned the nation into dictatorship, people would not have been at peace as can be seen in other un-democratic countries.
Dr. Scott has further disowned PF cadres who have been protesting against PF secretary General Wynter Kabimba stating that they are from the former ruling party, MMD.
Speaking during the same debate, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director, MacDonald Chipenzi, said the country’s democracy under the PF is under threat.
Mr. Chipenzi adds that the PF government has failed to address the fundamental laws that will promote democracy in the country such as Freedom of Information Bill, Access to Information Bill and the Freedom of Assembly Bill.
Mr. Chipenzi says government just watches when people’s rights are being abrogated by the PF cadres as well as the Zambia Police.
And Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) President, Dr. Nevers Mumba says democracy in Zambia died the time the PF unseated the MMD from office in 2011.
Dr. Mumba, who was part of the audience, says the opposition in the country finds it difficult to carry out quality checks and balances on the current government for fear of being apprehended by the police.
He says the PF must apologize to the Zambian people for putting the country’s democracy under fire for the first two years they have been in the office.
File:Some Lusaka residents captured inside Spar Store shopping
The country’s inflation rate for the month of September 2013 has dropped by a marginal 0.1 percent from 7.1 percent in August to 7.0 percent.
Speaking during a monthly press briefing in Lusaka today, Central Statistical office Director, John Kalumbi says the annual rate of inflation has decreased for food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, health, transport, education among others.
Mr Kalumbi notes that of the total 7.0 percent annual inflation rate recorded in September 2013, food and non alcoholic beverages accounted for 3.4 percent while non food products accounted for a total of 3.6 percent.
He says the annual rate of inflation increased in Lusaka, Northern, Muchinga and Southern Provinces while decreasing in Central, Copperbelt, Luapula, North western and Western provinces.
Mr. Kalumbi adds that the monthly inflation rate for the month of September 2013 was recorded at 0.4 percent compared to 0.7 percent in August decreasing by of 0.3 percent attributed to the price decrease of food items.
And Mr. Kalumbi has disclosed that the Central Statistic office in conjunction with the ministry of labour will soon be releasing the 2012 labour force survey results whose main objective is to measure and monitor the labour market indicators for decision making and planning.
The crusade to have embattled Patriotic Front (P.F) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba resign have reached Ndola with party officials and members from all constituencies demanding that he step
down immediately.
Cadres carrying placards and mock coffins matched from the Civil took to the streets of Ndolas central business area this morning denouncing Mr Kabimba.
The constituencies represented were Ndola Central, Chifubu, Bwana Mkubwa and Kabushi.
As they marched, the cadres wailed and chanted anti Kabimba slogans while carrying a mock coffin made out of carton signifying the down fall of Mr Kabimba .
The cadres marched from Ndolas Civic Centre to the party’s district office where they gathered.
Addressing the crowd at the PF offices was PF district chairperson John Chisulo who said it is known that wyter Kabimba is no longer wanted by the PF people and some PF leaders and that they want him to resign or step down.
Mr Chisulo also warned all those elements working against the party and president Sata should stop because they know them and they are not going to spare them.
“ PF will not sit idle and spare, watching the bad elements in the party destroy the party, if they so wish to form another party, then leave the PF alone, all those speaking against Mr Sata should go and form their own party” he said.
Mr Chisulo added that the PF is not a tribal party as stated by Mr Kabimba earlier.
“This party for sure has a lot of different tribes, me am a Senga by tribe, where is the tribalism, those who have seen that PF has tribalism they should resign and move out of the party,” he said.
Mr Chisulo added that all those that that think PF is tribalism should leave the party and go join other parties they wish to join.
He further said that all those not supporting Mr Sata should leave him alone and let him bring the development in the country which Zambians have desired to see.
Mr Chisulo has therefore said that all those wanting to leave the party should leave and go together with Mr Kabimba.
Meanwhile, PF members in Kasama held a a mock funeral in honour of Wynter Kabimba. The group which assembled at the party offices located in the town’s central business district asked Mr Kabimba not behave as if he had blinkers preventing him from seeing he was not wanted. The cadres then put a black mock coffin with the word Wynter on top of a car which they then sent to Chiba cemetery for burial.
They chanted and sang songs telling Mr Kabimba that PF in northern province loved all their officials regardless of tribe.
The cadres that demanded Mr Kabimba resign from all his positions of leadership within the party and government. They promised to flush the few sympathisers he had in the province.
Provincial Secretary Evarest Chella said in an interview that that members had the democratic right to protest but asked the protesters to show respect.
Veteran Chipolopolo and Golden Arrows defender Joseph Musonda’s mother has died.
FAZ Spokesperson Erick Mwanza confirmed that Musonda’s mother Ebby Mazimba Musonda died in the early hours of this morning in Lusaka.
Mwanza said Musonda’s mother passed away at the University Teaching Hospital after an illness.
He said FAZ has received the death of Musonda’s mother with sadness and sorrow.
“We have learned with sadness and sorrow the death of Mrs Ebby Mazimba Musonda; mother of Zambia national soccer team defender Joseph Musonda who died in the early hours of Thursday 26th September 2013 at the UTH in Lusaka,” Mwanza said.
“The Football Association of Zambia is saddened by this Musonda family loss.
On behalf of FAZ and entire football fraternity, we offer our condolences to the Musonda family. We pray that her soul rests in peace and that the love and peace of our Almighty God Jehovah protects and guides her family in this time of distress and pain.”
Musonda is the longest serving player in the current Chipolopolo squad.
TP Mazembe coach Patrice Carteron has hailed the character of Zambian players at the DR Congo side.
Carteron said he values the mentality of the Zambian players.
The Frenchman took over Mazembe in July after resigning as Mali coach.
Carteron singled out defender Stopilla Sunzu and midfielder Rainford Kalaba as best performers at the Lubumbashi side.
“Sunzu Stopilla is the best African defender, he has everything,” Carteron told BBC.
“And Rainford Kalaba reminds me of French footballer Eric Carriere, who was maybe one of the best French players. Rainford is clever, intelligent; everything he does is pure, beautiful football.
“I appreciate the mentality of the Zambian players. Most of them have great spirit.”
And Carteron expects some of TP Mazembe’s top players to leave for European clubs after the Confederation Cup.
“Most of the players have been here for a lot of years now and I’m sure some of them might leave to go to Europe, maybe after the Confederations Cup,” said Carteron.
Mazembe are in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup where they will face Stade Malien, of Mali, in October.
