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Namwala District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Patrick Muma, says that the feeding program under the World Food Program (WFP) has encouraged a lot of village children to go to school.
He told ZANIS in an interview that the idea of the feeding program is meant to encourage children, especially those who are from vulnerable families, to go to school.
Mr Muma disclosed that absenteeism by pupils from rural parts of the district has reduced because of the feeding program under the Ministry of Education and the World Food Program.
He also said there are a number of infrastructure development programs being under taken in the district under the Ministry of Education.
Mr Muma added that the communities in some rural parts of the district have been very supportive in provision of upfront materials in setting up of community schools in the district.
He, however, noted that there are a few exceptions where communities have not supported programs of building schools.
Mr Muma said that Niko Girls Technical School needs additional houses for support staff because currently the school has just a provision for teachers’ houses.
He said that Niko area is in a rural part of the district and there are no houses to rent by other support staff, hence need for more staff houses.
Mr Muma has since appealed to government to consider building a primary school near Niko Technical Girls so that children for the staff at the school have easy access to primary school education.
Government has with immediate effect cancelled the tender on the supply, delivery and commissioning of the National Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting System in Zambia.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Mwamba, said the cancellation is in line with advice his ministry received from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).
Mr Mwamba said the ZPPA recommended for a review and cancellation of the tender in accordance with regulations 176 of the Public Procurement Regulations of 2011 following appeals by two of the unsuccessful bidders.
According to a letter dated 13th September and addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, ZPPA Director Davies Chisenda, recommended for the cancellation of the tender due to non responsiveness in accordance with regulation 24(1) of the Public Procurement regulations.
Mr Mwamba, however, said government will now consider unbundling the tender into four slots which include civil works, studio, network and consultancy services than merging it as one as it was done in the previous tender.
He said the unbundling of the tender will make it easier to manage the tender process more efficiently and effectively in terms of technical capabilities of bidders.
Mr Mwamba added that unbundling tender will enable the country meet the June 2015 deadline set by the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for countries to migrate from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
He said despite the delay in the implementation process, government will remain focused to meet the deadline to migrate from analogue to digital televisions broadcasting as prescribed by the ITU.
Mr Mwamba assured the nation that the new tender procurement proceedings will be expedited by using the most efficient procurement method in line with the public procurement act.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Mwamba said his ministry will ensure the policy on digital migration is quickly approved by cabinet to guide in the implementation of the whole process.
And Mr Mwamba has announced the appointment of Zambia Daily Mail Managing Director, Isaac Chipampe, as the new Director of the newly created Department of Press and Media Development in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.
Mr Mwamba said Zambia Daily Mail Deputy Managing Director, Anthony Mukwita, will now act as Managing Director with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwamba has called on Heads of Media Institutions to immediately depoliticise the newsrooms in the public media institutions to enable the editorial staff to work as professionals.
Mr Mwamba has also with immediate effect directed all public media institutions to ensure that there are no personal-to-holder reporters attached to certain government ministers in terms of news coverage.
Chipolopolo defender Christopher Munthali registered a brace on Sunday to propel Nkana to a 2-1 victory over Napsa Stars in the FAZ Super Division match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Munthali was on target in the 5th and 71st minutes to ensure that second placed Nkana continued breathing heavily on leaders neck Zesco United.
The defender tapped in from close range after the Napsa backline failed to clear a free kick and completed his brace with a glancing header from a corner.
Napsa’s lone goal was inked by substitute Spencer Ngalande after 58 minutes.
Earlier in the 21st minute Napsa had a chance to equalise but keeper Scott Ngokene had his penalty stopped by his Nkana counterpart Makasa Mufwaya.
Kamfinsa referee Milton Mweemba awarded Napsa a penalty following a handball in the Nkana defence.
The win has pushed Masausto Mwale’s Nkana to 40 points, one below Zesco who beat Roan United 2-0 in the earlier match at Nkana Stadium on Sunday.
Napsa beat Nkana 1-0 in the reverse fixture on May 4 in Lusaka.
Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor, Michael Gondwe, says the Kwacha has been stronger than other currencies since May, this year.
Dr Ngondwe attributed the strength of the Kwacha to more exports than fewer imports outside and inside the country.
Dr Gondwe disclosed that the South African Rand and India’s Rupee depreciated by 16 per cent to leave room to the local currency, the Kwacha, to trade to a peak and appreciate.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka.
“The Kwacha has been strongest since May, this year. Our currency strengthened because the economy is performing extremely well. You may be aware that even the South African and India’s Rupees depreciated by 16% in May to-date,” Dr Gondwe said.
The Central Bank Chief explained that the demand on the United States Dollar had reduced, hence the Kwacha became strong.
Dr Gondwe also commended the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) for opening a branch in Kalabo district in Western province.
The Kalabo branch coming on board becomes the 30th financial institution by NATSAVE.
Kalabo district, established in 1938, had no banking facility not until NATSAVE invested in the area to the delight of Kalabo residents.
Others opened by the same bank are Chavuma, Lufwanyama and Mpongwe.
He challenged other banks to consider opening in rural areas so that people do not travel long distances seeking financial services.
Dr Gondwe said doing so would help lower the interest rates in the country which he described as too high for the Zambian people to afford borrowing in form of loans.
Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba has disclosed that the Access to Information Bill will not be tabled before parliament in its current form.
Mr Mwamba said the bill would be in conflict with existing legislation in the country if it is presented in its current form.
He told a media briefing this morning that Government has since engaged a consultant to study the document.
“We have since appointed Madam Eva Jhala to carry out a study on the implications of the current bill, we have given her a month to come back with a report,” Mr Mwamba said.
“Zambia is essentially a closed society.There are several statutes that classify government correspondence as confidential, the Official Secrets Act, the Penal Code, the Oath Act all are in conflict with the current bill.”
He said he really wanted the enactment of the Information Bill to be one of his achievements at the Ministry of Information.
“I really wanted to move quickly on this issue but you can appreciate the fact that we need to out a good piece of law.”
And Mr. Mwamba has disclosed that Government has cancelled the tender on digital migration.
He explained that the tender will be unbundled into four lots to enable the country meet the June 2015 deadline.
“We have followed recommendation from the ZPPA to cancel the tender because it was marred with irregularities,” Mr Mwamba said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwamba has announced that Zambia Daily Mail Managing Director Isaac Chipampe has been dropped from his position.
Mr. Chipampe has since been transferred to the Ministry of Information as Director of Press and Media Development.
Mr. Mwamba said that Zambia Daily Mail Deputy Managing Director Anthony Mukwita has since been appointed to act as Managing Director with immediate effect.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Zambia the
right to host the 2017 Africa under 20 Youth Championship.
FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya confirmed the development in a statement
issued by the association on Sunday morning.
The hosting rights for the 2017 CAF under-20 championship was
confirmed at the CAF Executive Committee meeting held in Cairo on
Saturday 21st September 2013.
Said Kalusha; “Dear colleagues, I would like to inform you that Zambia
has been awarded the right to host the U- 20 African Championship in
2017. This was confirmed in the afternoon at our CAF Executive Meeting
here in Cairo! I am really delighted for our football.”
“Let me also thank the Government through the Minister of Sport Hon
Chishimba Kambwili for backing the Football Association of Zambia all
the way in this bid. It will be a first for Zambia to be hosting a CAF
competition and I’m sure our people will delight into his news. The
time to prepare starts now.” Kalusha added.
Government has released a statement in response to remarks made recently by MMD President Nevers Mumba and NAREP President Elias Chipimo jnr. In a statement signed by Minister of Information and Broadcasting Service Mwansa Kapeya, Government accused Dr Mumba of embarking a journey of insults and advised Mr Chipimo to not blindly follow in the foot steps of spent forces.
Below is the full Statement.
Republic of Zambia Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
Media statement (for immediate release)
GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO ATTACKS BY OPPOSITION LEADERS NEVERS MUMBA AND ELIAS CHIPIMO
I refer to recent attacks in the media against President Michael Sata and attributed to opposition Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Dr. Nevers Mumba when he appeared on Joy FM Radio and later published in The Post newspaper of Friday, 20th September, 2013.
Government finds it difficult to respond to the careless attacks made by Dr. Mumba as they consist of derogatory and demeaning language that only serves and promotes hatred and plants seeds of uncivilised politics in our national discourse.
Government is determined to engage in healthy and constructive debate and discourse that will help bring solutions to the challenges the country faces.
I wish to state that Government has a strong and clear economic programme that focuses on alleviating poverty, develop rural areas, promote agriculture and diversify from copper as the mainstay of our economy, to other productive sectors as outlined in the Revised Sixth National Development Plan (R-SNDP).
[pullquote]Government finds it difficult to respond to the careless attacks made by Dr. Mumba as they consist of derogatory and demeaning language that only serves and promotes hatred and plants seeds of uncivilised politics in our national discourse.[/pullquote]
Government has heightened its focus and support to the agriculture sector with defined attention not only to Crops but to Livestock, Fish farming and a sustainable Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) premised on developing poor rural households into successful small and medium scale farmers.
The NAREP leader, Mr Elias Chipimo, for his part, ought to be reminded that for the first time since the early 1970s, Government has embarked on massive construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, health facilities and other vital social and economic amenities countrywide.
This robust infrastructural development programme is opening up our communities and taking Government services closer to the people and in the process achieving two important goals: lifting our people out of cyclical and generational poverty and creating employment especially for our young people.
For nearly 50 years, Zambia has had only three public Universities namely the University of Zambia in Lusaka, the Copperbelt University in Kitwe and Mulungushi University established recently in Kabwe.
In line with its Manifesto, Government has embarked on the construction of new universities in various parts of the country.
They include David Livingstone University in Livingstone, King Lewanika University in Mongu and Paul Mushindo University at Lubwa in Chinsali. This is in addition to other universities being created by converting existing colleges such Chalimbana, Palabana, Kwame Nkrumah and Mukuba Universities.
Further and beyond this, Government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata, has placed high priority on the training of youths and giving them an opportunity to obtain life skills and vocational training.
To this end, Government is constructing youth skills training institutes in various parts of the country with some of them nearing completion in Isoka, Muchinga Province, and Kalabo in Western Province.
Government is also building over 84 secondary schools countrywide – 32 of which are already completed.
Furthermore, Government is constructing 21 new Districts countrywide and 650 Health Posts. Government is also constructing 114 new staff houses. Government has also just completed the rehabilitation of 137 health facilities. The rehabilitation of a further 110 health facilities has commenced.
Besides the Link Zambia 8000, PAVE Zambia 2000 and the Lusaka L400 road projects, Government has embarked on a wholesome development agenda that is set to make Zambia a far better place than the MMD left it.
Therefore, to respond to the broad insults that Dr. Mumba has uttered would be giving credence to the unfounded and baseless attacks, allegations and malicious insinuations.
[pullquote]For young politicians like NAREP leader Mr Elias Chipimo JR, he is advised to take time and learn politics and avoid following blindly in the footsteps of spent forces.[/pullquote]
I must emphasise that President Michael Sata and his Government is determined to engage in meaningful and fruitful debate whose outcome should promote national development, peace and national unity.
President Sata would be keen to respond to attacks from opposition leaders, if the response will evoke a genuine dialogue on solutions to the various developmental challenges facing the country such as high poverty levels, the high disease burden, the high unemployment rate affecting our people, especially young people, and the under-development that characterises our countryside.
Our people are keen to see that leaders at all levels engage in debate that will resolve these and other serious matters affecting their welfare and livelihood.
It is for this reason that we refuse to give merit to Dr. Nevers Mumba’s derogatory journey of insults, his keenness to practice dirty politics and mischief as clearly displayed by him.
For young politicians like NAREP leader Mr Elias Chipimo JR, he is advised to take time and learn politics and avoid following blindly in the footsteps of spent forces.
Our sincere appeal to the opposition leaders is to urge them to practice politics that help build and develop the country. Currently our colleagues from the opposition are bent on engaging in disruptive and negative politics that take away the strides that the people of Zambia are making in coming together to focus on the development of the country and to ensure that we maintain our peace and unity.
Hon. Mwansa Kapeya, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON 21st September, 2013
This woman who had been held by the gunmen was carried out of the building in a state of shock by the emergency services.Picture from BBC.co.uk
A senior figure in the Somali militant group al-Shabab has told the BBC it carried out a deadly attack on a shopping centre in neighbouring Kenya.
At least 39 people were killed and scores more injured as gunmen, armed with grenades, stormed an affluent Nairobi shopping centre yesterday. Bodies lined the floors and precincts of the Westgate Shopping Mall, while around 30 shoppers were reported as being held hostage during the attack which was said to have involved up to 10 men, some of whom looked as young as 18, according to witnesses.
Nairobi’s Police Chief, Benson Kibue, described the assault as a terrorist attack, and last night the Somalia-based group al-Shabaab was reported to have claimed responsibility. According to eye-witnesses, the gunmen told Muslims to leave the centre shortly before midday and said that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Some witnesses said the gunmen had told Muslims to leave and said non-Muslims would be targeted.
“They came and said: ‘If you are Muslim, stand up. We’ve come to rescue you,” said Elijah Lamau.
He said the Muslims left with their hands up, and then the gunmen shot two people.
The correspondent in Nairobi for the Economist, Daniel Howden told the BBC he spoke to one man with a Christian first name but a Muslim-sounding surname who managed to escape the attackers by putting his thumb over his first name on his ID.
However, the man told Mr Howden that an Indian man standing next to him who was asked for the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s mother was shot dead when he was unable to answer.
Some went to extraordinary lengths to escape.Picture from BBC.co.uk
Grenade explosions and gunfire sent scores fleeing in panic from shops and restaurants on to the streets, according to witnesses and the Red Cross. Shooting continued hours after the initial assault as Kenyan troops surrounded the mall and police and soldiers combed the building, hunting down the attackers shop by shop. A police officer inside the building said the gunmen were barricaded inside the Nakumatt supermarket, one of Kenya’s biggest chains.
Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto, promised last night that they would “end the siege and get to the bottom of the attack”. “We will bring to account the perpetrators and their accomplices,” he said. Kenya Police said on Twitter that they had detained one of the Westgate Mall suspects.
The Inspector General of Police, David Kimaiyo, said officers had rescued “quite a number” of hostages. He added that hostages were being screened as officers were “not taking any chances”.
Police initially said it was an attempted robbery but later acknowledged that as many as 10 terrorists were involved. Al-Shabaab vowed in 2011 to carry out a large-scale attack on Kenya in retaliation for Somali and Kenyan military operations against its insurgents. Its threatened targets included the shopping centre, which is popular with both affluent Kenyans and Western expats.
Yesterday’s attack, will be the biggest such attack in Kenya since al-Qa’ida bombed the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998, killing more than 200 people. In 2002, the same militant cell attacked an Israeli-owned hotel and tried to shoot down an Israeli jet in a co-ordinated attack in Mombasa.
The Parklands area, where the Westgate shopping square is located, lies about two miles north-west of Nairobi’s congested city centre.
Ten years ago, as property prices rose in the centre, developers looked for cheaper land. The result has been a rapid expansion of a once residential area into one where some of Nairobi’s most expensive and prestigious business headquarters and international banking offices are now situated.
The area enjoys a reputation among wealthy Kenyans for having the best restaurants and nightclubs. The new luxury five-star Sankara, one of the capital’s best hotels, is next to the Westgate shopping area, just off the capital’s main road.
The 350,000 square-foot mall, designed to the latest international retail standards, opened in 2007. According to its website visitors can enjoy tropical gardens, a waterfall and a palm garden, as well as a vast food court in a “safe and serene” environment.
Yesterday the shopping centre was playing host to the SunGold SunRice SuperChef Junior competition, an on-air cooking event for children, organised by East FM, a local radio station. Around 60 participants aged between eight and 13 years old had signed up for the competition, which was taking place outside in a tented area of the mall.
But by the afternoon it was lined with bodies, and reports surfaced that Ruhila Adatia, a well-known radio presenter attending the event, was among those shot. A spokeswoman for the station said yesterday Ms Adatia had been shot and injured at the mall, but was unable to confirm reports she was dead.
Satpal Singh, who was in a cafe on the mall’s top floor, said he ran downstairs when he heard the gunfire and was shot at near the mall’s main exit. “A Somali guy shot at me. The guy who shot me was carrying a rifle, an AK-47,” Mr Singh, 36, said.
Manish Turohit, 18, escaped from the shopping centre after hiding in the parking garage for two hours. He told reporters he saw gunmen with AK-47s and vests with hand grenades in the shopping centre.
The country has seen a rise in terror attacks and threats in recent years, often involving gunmen armed with automatic weapons and grenades. Their targets include bars, nightclubs and restaurants in various parts of the country.
In January a suspected al-Shabaab attack left five people dead and three injured at a restaurant in the eastern city of Garissa, and in August last year one person was killed and six injured in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi on the eve of a visit by Hillary Clinton, then the United States Secretary of State.
Rob Vandijk, who works at the Dutch embassy, said he was eating at a restaurant in the shopping centre when attackers threw hand grenades inside the building. He said gunfire then burst out and people screamed as they dropped to the ground.
One eyewitness, who identified himself as Taha, said he heard the screech of brakes followed moments later by an explosion and then sustained gunfire from the ground floor. Gunfire was still being exchanged almost two hours later as police combed the shopping centre and cordoned off the surrounding roads.
At least two dozen people, including several children, were wheeled out on stretchers and in shopping trolleys by security guards. Many of the victims had multiple light wounds, apparently from flying debris. Others walked out, some with bloodied clothing wrapped around wounds. Many of the victims were taken to Nairobi’s Aga Khan Hospital, which was one of a number of hospitals to appeal for blood donors to come forward last night.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In this day and age, our culture has become so accustomed to having constant activity going on — computers, cell phones, television, email, video games. And there’s nothing wrong with that stuff; but sometimes, we have to stop and be still so we can focus on knowing God.
This is especially true during the difficult times in life. When you are facing a challenge, it’s easy to want to run to a friend or talk about it with a neighbor. But at some point, you have to stop and say, “God, I rest in You. I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.” Remember, our battles are spiritual battles. The people in your life aren’t your enemy, the forces of darkness are. When you choose to be still and know that the Greater One lives on the inside of you, you are saying to the whole world, “I trust God. He is my Defender.” When you choose to believe in Him, you will enter into His rest.
Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. As you are still before Him, as you tune out the distractions of the world and lean into Him, you will find rest and experience His victory and blessing in every area of your life.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I humbly come to You, seeking rest for my heart and mind. I choose to be still before You. I choose to cast my cares on You. Speak to my heart so I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace as I put my trust in You in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen
Silverware eluded promising Zambia defender Aaron Katebe on Saturday when his Zimbabwean side FC Plantinum lost to Shabanie Mine in the BancABC Super8 Cup final at Mandava Stadium.
Katebe’s Platinum lost 5-3 on penalty shootout after a goalless 120 minutes.
Shabanie have since walked away with US$120, 000 (K636, 000) for beating their Zvishavane rivals.
This is Katebe’s first season at Platinum after leaving another Zimbabwean team Hwange late last year.
The former Afrisports defender has established himself as one of the reliable players at Platinum.
Katebe has played for the Zambia National Team four times.
The opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) faction has commended party members for not shredding the speech that President Michael Sata delivered to parliament during the official opening of the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.
Earlier MMD president Nevers Mumba had threatened that his party would again shred the Presidential speech if President Sata attempted to turn his address to the House into a comedy show.
MMD faction leader Richard Kachingwe has maintained that Members of Parliament (MPs) are supposed to preserve the sanctity of Parliament and that shredding the Presidential speech only embarrasses an individual that tears the speech.
Major Kachingwe has told Qfm in an interview that civilized MPs are supposed to analyze the speech by the President and recommendation as opposed to shredding it.
And Major Kachingwe has appealed to MPs from the opposition to come with alternative budgets as a preparation to base their criticism or recommendations when the government presents the national budget in Parliament next month.
Power Dynamos revival under Tennant Chilumba continued when they beat Red Arrows 1-0 away at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde scored the game’s lone goal in the 45th minute to end Red Arrows 12-match unbeaten run.
Power rise from 11th to 9th on the table after the win.
Meanwhile, Alex Ng’onga came off the bench to score a brace as visiting Nchanga Rangers beat Konkola Mine Police 2-1 at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on the same date.
Nchanga coach Fighton Simukonda had benched Ng’onga together with other key players Bornwell Mwape and keeper Rabson Mucheleng’anga.
The Zambia forward registered his brace in the 53rd and 74th minutes to lift Nchanga from fifth into fourth place on the FAZ Super Division table.
Stanley Chabala had converted a 47th minute penalty to give Mine Police a lead after the first half ended goalless.
Lusaka referee Stanley Hachiwa pointed to the spot after Nchanga keeper Toasta Nsabata fouled Austin Muwowo inside the box.
Nchanga have now completed a double over Mine Police after winning the first leg 3-1 on May 4 in Chingola.
Nchanga have increased their tally to 36 points.
Meanwhile, Bruce Mwape’s Mine Police are still stuck on 22 points.
[standings league_id=1]
Armed police search through Westgate shopping centre for gunmen in Nairobi, September 21, 2013. Gunmen stormed the shopping mall in the Kenyan capital on Saturday, killing at least 15 people, according to the Kenyan Red Cross. (Goran Tomasevi/Reuters)
Gunmen threw grenades and opened fire inside Nairobi’s most upscale mall, killing at least 22 people and wounding dozens on Saturday.
A Kenya Red Cross official gave the death toll and reporters said they saw several dead bodies more than two hours after the attack began at the Westgate shopping centre. Officials did not give an official death toll.
Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue said this was a terrorist attack and that there are likely no more than 10 terrorists involved, as gunfire continues to be exchanged.
Manish Turohit, 18, says he saw gunmen with AK-47s and vests with hand grenades on them inside the mall. He escaped after hiding in the parking garage for two hours.
A group of people remain in hiding inside the mall.
A witness to the attacks, Elijah Kamau, said that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Somali’s rebel group al-Shabab vowed in late 2011 to carry out a large-scale attack in Nairobi in retaliation for Kenya’s sending of troops into Somalia to fight the Islamic insurgents.
A security officer helps a wounded woman outside Nairobi’s Westgate Mall, an upscale shopping mall where a deadly shooting erupted on Saturday. (Jason Straziuso/Associated Press)
Police helicopters circled above the mall as armed police shouted “get out! get out!” and scores of shoppers fled the building. Smoke poured out of one entrance of the high and witnesses said they heard grenade blasts.
Others said they saw about five armed assailants storm the beige stone Westgate shopping mall and that the incident appeared to be an attack rather than an armed robbery.
“They don’t seem like thugs, this is not a robbery incident,” said Yukeh Mannasseh who was on the mall’s top floor when the shooting started. “It seems like an attack. The guards who saw them said they were shooting indiscriminately.”
One eyewitness who identified himself as Taha said he heard the screech of brakes followed moments later by an explosion and then sustained gun fire from the ground floor.
Another survivor said he was shot by a man who looked Somali.
Some shoppers ran up stairs and escalators and hid around the mall’s cinema complex. Police found another terrified group hiding in a toilet on the first floor.
At least two dozen wounded were wheeled out on stretchers and shopping trolleys. Many of the victims had multiple light wounds, apparently from flying debris. Others walked out, some with bloodied clothing wrapped around wounds.
Reuters correspondents saw at least 20 bodies in two different locations.
The Kenyan Red Cross said at least 15 had been killed and more casualties were still inside the complex.
“The casualties are many, and that’s only what we have on the outside,” Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Guled said. “Inside there are even more casualties and shooting is still going on.”
“CARNAGE”
Al Shabaab have previously threatened to launch strikes on Nairobi’s tower blocks and soft targets including nightclubs and hotels known to be popular with Westerners in the capital. But they have so far failed to carry out such an attack.
“I personally touched the eyes of four people and they were dead. One of them was a child,” said one former British soldier at the scene.
“It’s carnage up there.”
Asked if the attack was a robbery, one paramilitary officer said: “No, terrorist”. There has, though, been no official statement from the police regarding the attackers’ motive.
Police cordoned off the roads surrounding the mall in central Nairobi’s Westlands neighborhood.
Satpal Singh, who was in another cafe on the mall’s top floor said he ran downstairs when he heard the gunfire and was shot at near the mall’s main exit.
“A Somali guy shot at me. The guy who shot me was carrying a rifle, an AK-47,” 36-year-old Singh said.
(Reporting by Edmund Blair and Goran Tomasevic; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
Police in Lusaka have summoned MMD President Nevers Mumba for questioning following his appearance on a radio programme on Joy FM last Thursday.
Lusaka Police Commissioner Joyce Kasosa confirmed that Dr Mumba was summoned to appear on Friday but asked for more time to prepare.
“Yes we sent a call out to his residence but he asked for more time. We have then settled for Monday at 10 Hours. It’s a routine investigation and we just want him to help us with investigations. I cannot give you more details now,” Ms Kasosa said.
But Dr Mumba’s Special Assistant Raphael Nakachinda confirmed that the MMD leader has been summoned regarding some of the statements he made during a radio programme on Thursday.
[pullquote]“The country is a state of confusion because President Sata cannot govern without confusion. He thrives in confusion. Zambia will always be in a confused state because the Head of State likes confusion,” Dr Mumba said during the radio programme.[/pullquote]
“Dr Mumba was invited by Joy FM to appear on the Platform radio programme and he accepted. President Sata was not happy that Joy FM hosted Dr Mumba and called in the middle of the broadcast and threatened the radio station with revocation of their broadcast licence if the programme is not withdrawn,” Mr Nakachinda said.
He said Dr Mumba gave a detailed and objective analysis of the two year rule of the PF which President Sata did not take nicely.
“So the police have asked Dr Mumba to appear for questioning and we have obliged to be at the police station on Monday,” he said.
And some police sources have disclosed that Dr Mumba is likely to be charged with Defamation of the Police.
“We are under instruction to find something in his interview at Joy FM to charge him for and our boss wants him to be slapped with defamation of the President,” a police source revealed.
Dr Mumba referred to President Sata as a man who thrives in a state of confusion and that he is sitting on a throne created using lies.
“The country is a state of confusion because President Sata cannot govern without confusion. He thrives in confusion. Zambia will always be in a confused state because the Head of State likes confusion,” Dr Mumba said during the radio programme.
Zambia defender Aaron Katebe is eyeing glory as his Zimbabwean side FC Plantinum takes on Shabanie Mine in the BancABC Super8 Cup final at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
This is Katebe’s first season at Platinum after leaving another Zimbabwean team Hwange late last year.
The former Afrisports defender has established himself as one of the reliable players at Platinum.
Katebe has played for the Zambia National Team four times.
Meanwhile, the local media reports that this is the first time the two local rivals from Zvishavane town are meeting in a cup final.
Katebe’s Platinum are favourites over Shabanie as they parade national team stars Nelson Mazivisa, Charles Sibanda and Donald Ngoma.
However, Shabanie stunned Platinum 1-0 in the league encounter earlier this year.
