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Police Arrest woman for assaulting her seven-year-old daughter using a metal bar

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Police Arrest woman for assaulting her seven-year-old daughter using a metal bar

Police on the Copperbelt have arrested a 35-year-old woman from Kitwe’s Kamakonde area for assaulting her seven-year-old biological daughter using a metal bar.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba confirms the suspect Neddy Chisanga, also a businesswoman injured her daughter for visiting her maternal grandmother whom she is not on good terms with.

Mr. Mweemba said the juvenile sustained a bruised forehead, cut on the upper lip, a loose tooth, swollen hands and legs and general body pains.

“Evans Mumba aged 31 of House Number 114 Kamakonde reported on behalf of his niece female juvenile Angela Neddy Chisanga, aged 7 that she was assaulted by her biological mother Neddy Chisanga, aged 35 of house number 2714 Kamakonde, also a businesswoman, who caused her to sustain a bruised forehead, cut on the upper lip, a loose tooth, swollen hands and legs, and general body pains. A metal bar is alleged to have been used to inflict the injuries,” Mweemba said.

He said the child has since been admitted to Kalulushi General Hospital while the mother was apprehended by the police and detained.

“Brief facts of the case are that on 22nd January, 2023, Angela Neddy Chisanga went to visit her maternal grandmother Bertha Kyatabankana. The mother of the victim is not in good books with her mother and became upset and waited for her to get home and sleep. When the victim went back home, her mother said nothing to her but waited until she was asleep. At around 04:00hours the victim was awakened by beating her hard with a metal bar. She continued beating her with the metal bar till she sustained the above injuries. After this the mother locked her up in the house and went for her daily business. It was only until her aunty F/Maureen Mumba, a sister to her mother, went to visit her sister and found her in that state. The aunty took her to her brother’s place who later reported the case to the police. Police verified the report. A docket of case was opened, and the child was taken to Kalulushi General Hospital, where she was admitted. Later the mother was apprehended by the police. Arrest made and more to follow,” Mr. Mweemba stated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mweemba has confirmed that a man of Ndola believed to be in his 50s who went missing for days has been found dead at Kantolomba Cemetery in Ndola.

He said the man was found hanging on a tree at the cemetery in a suspected suicide case.

Mr. Mweemba said Police visited the scene and found the body hanging on a tree in the cemetery in a decomposed state.

“Mwango Davis of house no 7203 Lubuto west Ndola, a community chairman for Kantolomba ward reported to have found an unknown male person aged about 50 hanging to a tree in Kantolomba cemetery using a rope. Brief facts are that the said chairman received information that there was an unknown male person who hanged himself using a rope within Kantolomba Cemetery. Upon receipt of the information, the reporter rushed to the scene where he confirmed the incident. He then reported the matter to the Lubuto police post. Police visited the scene and found the body hanging on a tree in the cemetery in a decomposed state. A write up to Ndola city council Public health department has been made for possible fumigation and burial at the site as the deceased body is in a decomposed state, unfit to be kept in the mortuary and the public health dept for the city council has arranged for burial tomorrow morning. Inquiry file opened and more to follow,” Mr. Mweemba said.

In Chingola, Police have launched investigations into a vandalism case in which unknown people cut and stole a Zesco Limited cable valued at K12, 950.

“Vandalism occurred on 24/01/2023 around 02:30hours at Substation number 263 pole mounted transformer (PMT) of Chingola Central Old Senior Police camp (Mutelo) Chingola District, in which Ristone Kaniini aged 43 of house number 58 Mulamba road Nchanga South, a Zesco security manager reported on behalf of Zesco that unknown criminals (vandals) did cut and stole a 120mm x 4 core x14 metres cable valued at k12, 950 property of Zesco. Brief facts are that the criminals dug the said cable, which was coming from the transformer to the medium voltage cable line which supplies power to the Office of the President Offices and part of the Old police camp.The police and Zesco personnel visited the scene, docket opened, and investigations instituted,” Mr. Mweemba stated.

2022 CDF still lying idle in banks for Kasenengwa

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2022 CDF still lying idle in banks for Kasenengwa

Makungwa Ward Councilor Alexander Miti has expressed concern with the delay to disburse empowerment loans under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) by the Kasenengwa Town Council.

Speaking during the ordinary full council meeting held yesterday, Mr Miti wondered why the funds that were allocated towards the disbursement of loans under the 2022 CDF for Kasenengwa Constituency were still laying idle in the banks.

He said there is a need for the local authority to quickly disburse the funds to the clubs and cooperatives that applied for the loans so that they boost various business activities.

Mr Miti said the loan component under the CDF was meant to help clubs and cooperatives facing financial challenges in achieving their goals hence it should be disbursed without delay.

“I’m concerned with the delayed disbursement of empowerment loans under the CDF to the cooperatives that applied, since the funds were already released by the central government and are laying idle in the banks,” he said.

And in response, Council Secretary Caroline Mphande said the clubs and cooperatives that applied for the loans will receive the funds soon as some modalities that the local authority wanted to put in place such as opening a revolving fund account among others are done.

Mrs Mphande, however, mentioned that only four clubs and cooperatives were considered to receive the funds by the CDF committee as most groups that applied failed to meet the requirements.

UPND governance system is not inspiring – Chishimba Kabwili

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UPND governance system is not inspiring – Chishimba Kabwili

Patriotic Front – PF Presidential Aspirant Chishimba Kambwili has described the United Party for National Development – UPND government as not inspiring because they tied themselves to so many promises which they have failed to fulfill.

Mr. Kambwili sufficed to state that the UPND has fulfilled one or two promises but even the same promises that they have fulfilled have had so many announcers, adding that for instance, they promised to introduce free education policy which was not well thought of before it was implemented, as they rushed to implement it.

“The money that they are sending to the schools as grants is not enough for the schools to run and sooner or later the schools will stop running examinations and tests, mock exams because the money they are getting from the government as grants is not enough. The problem that we have now is too much intimidation of civil servants that they are even failing to tell them the truth for fear of being victimized, if the Head Master said today that the money that they are sending them is too little to run the school, the following day that Head Master will be transferred,” he said
Mr Kambwili mentioned that most of the schools during that time of user fees and PTA funds bought even buses and utility vehicles but now the schools are not even having that money to service the utility vehicles, and the schools are not having enough fuel to attend to certain inter-schools activities.

“So, when you are in introducing a policy what you need to do is for instance they should have gone to the schools to find out on an average how much does the school run on in terms of expenses per month, term and per year and then you make provisions for grants tailored to the budget of the schools, as some schools are much bigger than other schools for instance there are Secondary schools which have streams from grade 8 to 12 with 4 classeswhile other schools have more streams of classes, and if you are giving 50 thousand kwacha to both small and bigger schools the bigger school will fail to operate,” he said

He further mentioned that as much as the free education policy is a good thing for the people of Zambia, the education standards are going to drop very badly because the schools are not meeting the needs for them to offer quality education.
And Mr Kambwili stated that the UPND micro-economic indicators are fictitious, adding that if the inflation is brought down then automatically the price of commodities, goods and services must also go down.

“Under the PF the inflation was reported to be above 20 percent and the UPND are saying they hjave dropped it to a single digit, the price of commodities under PF was much lower than the prices of commodities today, so how do you measure your inflation if the price of commodities are going up, this automatically shows that those inflations figures are doctored, and one example that shows that the inflation figure is not correct is that the government owes local suppliers about billions of Kwachas whcih a very collosal sum of money and they have refused to pay them ststaing that they will undertake audit before paying them, those business men usually go to the Bank or lending institutions to borrow in order for them to to service the orders on their contracts with the government, so that money has been saifoned out of the economy, so how do you detrmine your inflation when you have saifoned money from economy by way of not paying the suppliers and contractors who also went and borrowed from the financial instituions which are also limping because of the non service of their facilities,” Mr Kambwili explained

He added that there is not where in the world where inflation can be reduced from 22 percent to 9 percent, yet the prices of commodities are going up times three.

Lazarus Kambole Set For Zesco United Debut

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Forgotten Chipolopolo striker Lazarus Kambole is finally set for his Zesco United debut this Saturday when the nine-time Zambian champions visit Lumwana Radiants.

Kambole rejoined Zesco last week on a six-month loan deal from Tanzanian champions Young Africans in Tanzania whom he joined on a two-year contract in 2022 following a forgettable three-year stay at Kaizer Chiefs.

The news comes after Kambole’s much-anticipated Zesco debut during last Sunday’s 0-0 home draw against Nkwazi was put on hold due to an administrative delay.

Kambole’s return coincides with that of coach George Lwandamina who rejoined Zesco in December.

Lwandamina and Kambole won back-to-back league titles in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

“I feel at home and I know the coach he is like a father to me so there is nothing new,” Kambole said.

“So far so good and I have adapted well.

 “I am going to work hard and bring in my experience and hoping for the best.”

The 2021/2022 FAZ Super League runners-up are currently battling in unfamiliar waters at number 10 on 26 points, twelve points behind leaders Power Dynamos.

Elsewhere, FAZ Super League leaders Power is away in Mazabuka to face high-performers and promoted FC MUZA who is sitting at number three.

And in Kitwe, record 13-time Zambian champions Nkana continues its relegation fight when they host fourth placed Green Buffaloes.

Nkana is two places above the bottom four relegation zone at number 13.

FAZ SUPER LEAGUE
WEEK 21
28/01/2023
Nkana-Green Buffaloes
FC MUZA- Power Dynamos
Nchanga Rangers-Chambishi
Green Eagles-Napsa Stars
Lumwana Radiants-Zesco United
Nkwazi-Kansanshi Dynamos
Prison Leopards- Buildcon
Red Arrows-Kabwe Warriors
29/01/2023
Forest Rangers-Zanaco

FAZ NATIONAL DIVISION 1
WEEK 21
28/01/2023
Trident-Mutongo Stars
Indeni-Konkola Blades
Livingstone Pirates-Young Green Buffaloes
Zesco Malaiti-Jumulo
Aguila Stars-Kitwe United
29/01/2023
Mufulira Wanderers-City of Lusaka
Lusaka Dynamos- Kafue Eagles
BARTS FC-Kafue Celtic
POSTPONED:
Mpulungu Harbour-Atletico Lusaka

Police in Zambia’s North-Western Province Increase Efforts to Combat Ritual Killings

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Police in Zambia’s North-Western Province Increase Efforts to Combat Ritual Killings

The Inspector General of Police, Lemmy Kajoba, has expressed concern over the recent increase in the number of murder cases involving ritual killings, commonly known as “kikondo,” in the North-Western Province. Kikondo, which translates to “moving coffin,” is a ritual practice by local people in certain parts of the province, believed to help identify the killers of their relatives in suspicious circumstances.

According to police records, there have been nine cases of kikondo reported between January 2022 and January 2023, with only one arrest made so far. The incidents are particularly rampant in Solwezi and Kasempa Districts. All the recorded cases involve elderly people aged between 60 and 90, who are alleged to have been behind the death of someone in their communities.

The perpetrators, including the relatives of the deceased, often abandon their villages immediately after practicing kikondo, knowing that police will be looking for them. It is alleged that the villagers join in by beating the victims with various weapons once identified by the “moving coffin.”

In response to this situation, Mr. Kajoba, who is currently on a familiarization tour in the North-Western Province, has instructed officers to round up all suspects and hold them accountable for their actions. “Your target should be the Pallbearers and the relatives. Arrest and charge them for murder,” he directed. Additionally, he has ordered the deployment of additional paramilitary officers to Solwezi and Kasempa Districts, to assist in the manhunt for suspects currently on the run.

The Police Chief emphasized that the new government, elected under the backdrop of the rule of law, respects human rights. He stated that the Zambia Police will ensure that the policy directive by the President is fulfilled. “We cannot afford to see the degeneration of security situations in some parts of the country where people are brutally murdered on mere accusations of practicing witchcraft,” Mr. Kajoba said. He acknowledged that the problems of long distances where these crimes occur and lack of police transport, makes it difficult but efforts should be made at all costs of ensuring that culprits are held accountable of their actions as this will send a strong message to deter this primitive and inhuman practice by the people.

To address the problem of transport, Mr. Kajoba assured police officers that the government has bought more than 150 motor vehicles for the Zambia Police Service through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). He said that police officers will be able to respond effectively to security concerns as each constituency will have a police motor vehicle. The motor vehicles are expected to arrive before the end of the first quarter of 2023.

The Police Chief, accompanied by the Commissioner for Administration Auxensio Daka, Commissioner of Police for North-Western Province Dennis Moola and other senior police officers, interacted with officers in Solwezi, Kasempa, Mufumbwe, Manyinga, Kabompo, and Zambezi Districts.

Mukwita Urges President Hichilema to Strengthen Ties with China to Address Zambia’s $6 Billion Debt

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Mukwita Urges President Hichilema to Strengthen Ties with China to Address Zambia’s $6 Billion Debt

In a recent interview with Diamond TV’s Andrew Mwansa, Ambassador Anthony Mukwita discussed international relations and the role of China and the United States in Zambia.

When discussing the current government’s relationship with China, Ambassador Mukwita said, “I said the UPND government under President Hakainde Hichilema missed the memo by not engaging the People´s Republic of China right from the beginning when they assumed office in August 2021.” He went on to explain the importance of engaging with China, the country’s largest creditor, saying, “He who pays the piper calls the tune and, it is just good diplomacy for you to engage the second largest economy in the world, set to become number 1 in a couple of years, some experts say less than a decade from now.”

The Ambassador also highlighted the long history between Zambia and China, mentioning the Tazara railway line built with Chinese funding in the 1970s after the country was cut off from sea transit by the apartheid regime in neighboring Rhodesia. He said, “China was poor then, but they still rose to the plate to help us. The saying goes, ‘those that don’t learn from history risk repeating it’.”

In light of this history, Ambassador Mukwita urged President Hichilema to engage with China at the highest level, stating, “President Hichilema should pick up the phone and ask his big brother in Beijing President Xi Jinping. Let them have a cup of te or cha and iron out our US$6 billion debt because it’s the China in the Bull Shop right now, get Uncle Sam out of the way.” He went on to say that “Ignoring China in the era of the Thucydides trap is tantamount to burying our heads in the sand.”

He also mentioned the potential obstacles presented by the United States, saying “my brother and mate brother Joe Chilaizya who was Charge D Affaires in Beijing for Zambia for a long time, he told me the US has muddied the waters by ‘condescending’ China over the debt to Zambia.”

Ambassador Mukwita, who has spent time in both Beijing and Washington D.C. and studied international relations, believes that a trip to Beijing by President Hichilema could have a positive outcome. He said, “He will be surprised how the trip will positively turn out in his ‘work after work after work’ policy, as President Edgar Lungu (number six) did in infrastructure unmatched with the dragon.”

He concluded by saying, “China means well for Zambia, as the US does, ignore them at your own peril. My forthcoming book ‘The rise of China in Africa, Zambia story’ will offer further insight on this issue, look out for it on Amazon. Having worked as a senior Zambian envoy in Berlin and actually studied International Relations, penning a thesis on the issue at university in Germany, I believe I have some views that could help answer some questions on our table today, even across party lines. God bless you folks as the dragon roars side by side with Uncle Sam. Make that Beijing call now Mr President because the IMF deal you love depends on it. Sometimes you must eat humble pie.”

Erasmus+ Programme Launches Call for Proposals in Zambia: A Boost for Higher Education and Economic Growth

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Erasmus+ Programme Launches Call for Proposals in Zambia: A Boost for Higher Education and Economic Growth

The Erasmus+ Programme, one of the world’s most iconic global education programmes, has launched a call for proposals in Zambia to promote mobility and cooperation between universities in the European Union (EU) and those outside of Europe.

During an information session held on January 26, 2023 at the University of Zambia, Great East Road Campus in Lusaka, the Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA, Mr. Claudio Bacigalupi, addressed the audience and highlighted the importance of the programme.

“I am proud to say that the Erasmus+ Programme currently stands out as the most iconic global education programme in the world,” Mr. Bacigalupi said. “In Europe, the Erasmus+ is mainly known for higher education students’ mobility. However, Erasmus+ is much more. It is about lecturers and researchers mobility, and it plays an important role in the fields of education, capacity building, vocational education, youth and sport.”

The Erasmus+ Programme, which marked its 35th anniversary in 2022, has had a significant impact globally. In 2021, the programme funded 19,000 projects for a total amount of EUR 2.9 billion. Around 71,000 organizations participated in Erasmus+ activities, and nearly 650,000 individuals across the globe benefited from the various learning experiences.

Erasmus Presentation UNZA bosses
Erasmus Presentation UNZA bosses

In Zambia, the Erasmus+ Programme awarded grants amounting to EUR 1.9 million or ZMW 36.6 million to four local universities including the University of Zambia, the Copperbelt University, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University and the University of Barotseland. The four higher learning institutions are in partnership with other universities and colleges in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe and together, they will implement important research and development activities over the next couple of years, in the fields of Planetary Space Science and Technology, Maternal Mental Health and improving digital infrastructure for libraries.

Mr. Bacigalupi also emphasized the importance of higher education and its links with research and innovation in the development of individuals and societies, stating, “Higher education and its links with research and innovation play a crucial role in the development of individuals and societies and to meet labour demand from the private sector. It supports communities in building capacities and thus, contributing to the creation of jobs, sustained economic growth, and individual’s well-being.”

He also noted that the Erasmus+ higher education dimension seeks to bring an additional international dimension to studying, teaching, and evidence-based research for policy making purposes, and that this information session is an opportunity to exchange on the current higher education opportunities available for funding targeting sub-Saharan Africa.

Furthermore, Mr. Bacigalupi highlighted that “Erasmus+ is now opened also to Vocational Education and Training institutions, and soon to TVET student mobility. This clearly underlines the link between education and labour market, between human development and private sector development and economic growth. I believe this area is particularly crucial for Zambia where more than 350,000 young people enter the workforce every year,”

Overall, the Erasmus+ Programme’s call for proposals in Zambia is a significant opportunity for universities and higher learning institutions in the country to benefit from funding, resources, and international cooperation in various fields of education and research.

Erasmus Presentation Claudio with Njira
Erasmus Presentation Claudio with Njira

Statement that millers are Patriotic Front does not represent the views of the UPND – UPND SG

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Statement that millers are Patriotic Front does not represent the views of the UPND – UPND SG

United Party for National Development – UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda says the person who issued the statement alleging that Millers are Patriotic Front – PF does not belong to the party structures.

Mr Imenda disclosed that the claim that Mr Beene Hachoombwa is a member of the Presidential campaign team which is an adhoc committee of the UPND, adhoc in the sense that it is not in the constitution of the UPND its recognized but does not make part of the UPND in terms of structure, hence, having no right to speak on behalf of the party which has a system on which they follow when giving statements to the press or to the nation.

“We are the party in the government, we have a relationship with the millers and they are some steps that we are taking, and clearly you have heard us over and over talking about clear distinction between the party and the government, the distinction is very clear because on issues that are government related we have the Ministry of Information and Media which issue government statements and on matters that are party related, we have a system and a director of information, we have Cornelius Mweetwa whose the party spokesperson and issues party statements, not anyone who just comes from nowhere to just start issuing statements,” he said

Mr Imenda has since appealed to the media to ensure that they find out whether someone who just claims to be a party member speaks for the party or not.

“We have the Secretariat, we have the Secretary General whom you can consult to see it that the person being quoted is speaking for the party,” he said

He added that the alarming statement which is attributed to the UPND coming from a member of a Presidential campaign team does not deserve that headline at all.

In a video that has been circulating on various Facebook pages, United Party for National Development – UPND Presidential Campaign Team Member Beene Hachoombwa alleged that the millers are producing expensive mealie meal because they are Patriotic Front – PF cadres.

Mr Hachoombwa stated that the people in the opposition are trying to create an impression that the UPND has failed, adding that even mealie meal has become expensive.

He noted that when it comes to mealie meal, Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo gave a directive during a press briefing on mealie meal.

“We still have PF millers that want to sabotage the efforts of this government, that us what is there,they want to make it seem as though mealie meal has become very expensive so that the Zambians can turn against the UPND government,” he said

“I want to send a warning to these people that Zambia belongs to all of us and if you want to starve to punish us the UPND then you are not punishing us because you also have relatives, millers must pull up their stokens, what they are doing is not Zambian. The question is what is the real cause of this high cost of mealie meal? Because even us we don’t know,” he added

He said that should they now assume that they are taking advantage of the free market economy that the country is enjoying and that the government has no authority to authorise the price, that is wrong, and they should just do the correct thing.

“Now what is causing the prices of mealie meal to go up, because if they are saying its because of the late delivery of fertilizer then that should only affect this farming season and not the previous one,” he said

“We came in within one year, brought in investor as investments begin to come in the country and the International Monetary Fund – IMF are even here, what about that, these are the things that an opposition person will not come to tell you,” he said

Janet Yellen’s visit to Zambia & the thunder after rain

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Janet Yellen’s visit to Zambia & the thunder after rain

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

For the optimist, 2023 couldn’t have started off on a positive note. For sure, it’s not often that an African country gets a high value US official to set foot on their doorstep. You got to hand to the incumbent head of state, he bagged a rare feat – got one of the most influential global political figures to visit Zambia. As the serving Secretary to the US Treasury, Janet Yellen is a woman of impeccable credentials. For the record, she is the first female to head the US Treasury – in addition to her previous stint as chair of the US Fed Reserve.

Yellen’s visit certainly cast a rare spotlight on Zambia’s economy and by extention the country’s political trajectory. It was a vote of confidence in the leadership, to borrow a common political phrase. To those in doubt, her visit signaled the US’s clearest intent to dislodge China’s dominance in Africa. Put it this way, there is no better way of flexing your political muscle than cajoling one of your adversary’s most indebted countries into submission – bringing them into your corner. For now, Yellen’s visit to Zambia translates into a simple geo-political matrix on the scoreboard. It’s Joe Biden 1 and Xi Jinping 0.

But how long will the Zambia and US bromance last? Is US support consistent enough to help the country out of its current economic morass? It’s impossible to pierce through such a crystal ball for a definitive answer. However the fluidity of US’s political terrain makes it difficult to guarantee its long-term economic support to Zambia and the continent at large. Off course, one might argue and correctly so that Democrats have long maintained a positive view of Africa with President George Walker Bush ranking as the only exception to Republican’s hostility to the continent.

It’s Bush Jnr’s commitment to helping eradicate the spread of HIV-AIDS that led to his government pumping billions of aid into the continent. Then the mop-haired one from Mara Largo came on the scene. Donald Trump’s characterisation of Africa as a shithole of poorly run countries best illustrates the fluidity of US-Africa relations. Even more worrying, the gravitation of conservative US politicians towards the Make America Great Again movement (MAGA) – an inward looking brand of politics that seeks to elevate US interests above all else, places much doubt on the US’s long-term interests in the continent. Mind you, Trump might just return to the White House in January 2025.

Unlike the US, China has been an all-weather friend to the continent and its relations with Zambia dates back to six decades. It has been the cornerstone upon which Zambia’s industrial policy was built. For example, the 2 075 km long TAZARA railway line linking Zambia to Tanzania’s port city, Dare Salam was built by China. The 2 115 km long TAZAMA pipeline through which crude oil is pumped from Tanzania to Ndola’s Indeni refinery – now under care and maintenance was built with aid from China. Mulungushi which for long had been Zambia’s poster child for clothing manufacturing excellence was built by Chinese – the list of its economic interventions to Zambia easily makes for a catalogue.

Hate or love China, you can’t talk of Zambia’s current infrastructure boom or economic standing without mentioning China. For context, it is Zambia’s single biggest creditor accounting for US$6 billion of Zambia’s foreign debt estimated at US$16.3 billion. In 2021, China accounted for nearly US$3 billion of Zambia’s total exports of goods and services valued at US$11 billion while exports to the US in the same fiscal year were too negligible to quantify.

Be careful who you go to bed with, so goes a popular refrain. This reminds of a catchy line from a famous 90’s song, ‘ngawayikata akapya, akakale waposa’ loosely translated as a warning to those that tend discard their wives for a new flame. While President Hakainde Hichilema needs the US and the West to help him win a congeniality contest, his posture certainly places Zambia in an awkward position. The country can’t afford to be a pawn in the Sino-US geo-political tension. There is surely enough middle ground for Zambia to occupy in this stand-off.

The 2022 UPND report card

Forget the impact of torrential rainfall and flooding which has characterised the grain belt, it’s the lack of farming input that has riled the farming community. Fertilizer is in short supply and if and when available, it is beyond affordability of the peasant. Add Loadshedding to these challenges, the forecast for 2023 looks grim.

Barely two years in power, the euphoria that swept the UPND to power has dissipated – displaced by the proverbial stench of buyer’s remorse. For clarity, the dictionary defines buyer’s remorse as a feeling of regret after making a choice or decision. Sadly, those that care to complain about the unbearable cost of living, the untimely delivery of farming input or government’s inability to secure consistent supply of medicines to health centres are condemned to sermons about the ineptness of the former governing Patriotic Front (PF).

It seems that blaming PF has now become the UPND government’s default response to its own disasters. While true that, PF zealots looted the Ministry of Agriculture through dodgy tendering and procurement deals, aggrieved farmers will be the first to attest that they often received farming input timeously. Hence, it’s easy to forgive those that keep peering into the rear view of history for solace. As they say, nostalgia is almost always a default option to sanitising economic hardship.

Most disappointing, the notion that the new government would be led by an exemplar of stellar democratic tenets is proving an illusion. Prior to the outcome of the 2021 August Presidential elections, who would have imagined a UPND led government desecrating our constitution or even worse breaking into parliament to steal opposition seats? As if sticking a middle finger to protesting constitutionalists, the President rewarded one of the masterminds of this robbery with a cushy posting to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
It isn’t helping that the civil society which effectively thwarted the PF’s attempt to manipulate the constitution through adoption of the now infamous ‘Bill 10’ is now in a virtual comatose. And by the way, what has happened to the once vibrant Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) that successfully fought former President, Frederick Chiluba’s ill-fated attempt to amend the constitution so he could run for a third term?

Economic outlook for 2023

‘We have achieved so much in a short period than the PF achieved in 4 years.’ Is this statement born out fact Mr President? You see, one can’t be an invigilator, assessor and candidate to their own exam. This desperation for credit is characteristic of politicians that are tone deaf to the collective voice of the suffering masses. It’s even more worrying when politicians opt to embrace attenuated accountability. This kind chooses to pontificate their victories while downplaying their failures. But you can’t have your cake and eat it to borrow President Hichilema’s words, ayikona man.

Free education, new recruits in the both the education and health sectors, count as the biggest wins of the UPND thus far. And credit is duly given. However, will Zambia register meaningful economic growth in 2023 that could help absorb the unemployed masses? Tough one. Meanwhile, nearly 63% of analysts polled at the just ended World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos are predicting a mild recession in the global economy and Zambia is likely follow this trend.

While inflation has tanked to low levels, economic fundamentals on the ground provide a worrying picture. There is just no liquidity in the economy to spur growth. And staring into the gapping tax hole enlarged by generous tax breaks dolled to global mining companies, Zambia’s social safety net is too stretched to the borne and won’t help curb rising poverty. You hope not but 2023 could just be a year of suffering.

About the Author: Mwanza is nothing but a patriot. For feedback contact: [email protected] *Best wishes for 2023 to you all that have followed and helped to enhance our writing over the years.

Zambian Government Urged to Extensively Engage on Carbon Market Legislation by Centre for Trade Policy and Development

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Zambian Government Urged to Extensively Engage on Carbon Market Legislation by Centre for Trade Policy and Development

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) is urging the Zambian government to extensively engage with relevant stakeholders in the process of developing legislation on carbon market. This comes after the signing of the 450 million Euros Forest partnership between the European Union (EU) and Zambia, as well as four other countries, at the COP27 to the Paris agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt).

According to a statement released by Mr Solomon Mwampikita, Researcher- Climate Change and Environment, the agreement to finalize the rules on international carbon markets and some countries announced greater action on forests, methane, and climate finance were among the significant outcomes achieved at the COP26. The Zambian Minister of Finance in his 2023 national budget speech further stated that the government has developed guidelines and listing rules for green bond trading, and is in the process of developing legislation to regulate the carbon market in line with the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

The signed forest partnership will not only sustain forests, biodiversity, and livelihoods at the local level, but also serve as another means of resources mobilization in the carbon markets. Carbon trading and green bonds have been identified as among the key sources of resource mobilization for developing countries under the climate crisis, and Zambia is no exception.

The growth and acceleration of the carbon markets over the years, offers a good opportunity for countries adversely affected by climate change, especially developing countries to raise the much-needed resources for building resilience, and tackling inequality and poverty at large. The State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Report for 2022 by World Bank states that global carbon trade revenue in 2021 increased by almost 60% from 2020 levels, to around $84 billion, providing an important source of funds to help support a sustainable economic recovery, finance broader fiscal reforms, or invest in communities as part of the low-carbon transition future.

However, the effects of climate change have adversely affected the socio-economic strides attained this far, and have amplified the already existing challenges, locking the poor and vulnerable communities into more poverty. This has forced communities to overexploit natural resources through acts such as cutting trees for charcoal production and firewood to sustain their wellbeing resulting into deforestation, further increasing their vulnerability to climate change aberrations.

In 2022, the Earth.Org cited Zambia as the most impacted African country by charcoal production, and with the highest deforestation rates in the world with a yearly loss of about 300,000 hectares of forested land. Thus, while efforts to develop legislation to regulate the carbon market for resources mobilization is commendable, this should not be at the expense of the poor and vulnerable communities that depend on natural resources more so forest products for sustaining their livelihoods.

As such, CTPD is urging government to develop legislation that will not sideline communities that depend on natural resources such as forest products for their survival by widely engaging and consulting the relevant stakeholders. Additionally, government should improve the coordination of climate and financial policies across ministries and agencies. Experience indicates that programs or projects for carbon emissions capturing, or reduction tend to restrict or limit local communities’ access to natural resources that have defined their livelihoods over generations.

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) is a not-for-profit, membership-based trade policy and development think tank. The organization was established in 1999 and existed as the Civil Society Trade Network (CSTNZ), until 2009 when it was rebranded as the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD). The mandate of CTPD is to influence pro-poor trade and investment reforms at national, regional and multilateral levels as well as facilitate the participation of various stakeholders including member organizations in ensuring that trade is used as a tool for poverty eradication.

UPND Alliance partners praise President Hichilema for foreign trips, calling for support from well-meaning Zambians.

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UPND Alliance partners praise President Hichilema for foreign trips, calling for support from well-meaning Zambians.

The UPND Alliance partners have praised President Hakainde Hichilema for his recent foreign trips, stating that such travels are important and beneficial for the Republic of Zambia. The partners believe that for the country to attract the much needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs), the undertaking of such trips are inevitable.

The Presidential travels, with the recent one being to Senegal, are important for further economic growth, strengthening of bilateral ties and for the fostering of global economic integration and synergies. The partners have stated that it is unfair for some rogue opposition elements to continue to disparage the trips whose benefits the nation is already witnessing.

As Upnd Alliance partners, they have no doubt that Zambia will benefit tremendously from the trips. It is abundantly clear that the opposition is not happy on how President Hichilema is interacting with different stakeholders on the international scene, hence the condemnation on the trips.

The partners have emphasized that Zambia is not an island and cannot therefore develop without the support from well-established conglomerates. They have also stated that the New Dawn Administration wants to agenda to restore Zambia’s lost economic fortunes that were left hanging by the previous regime.

The President has emphasized that 2023 is a year for unlocking the domestic economy hence the need for Cabinet Ministers to rise to the occasion and follow this directive and ensure that Zambia attracts private players to chart the development path of this great Nation.

Furthermore, the partners have urged the opposition not to trivialize the trips made by the President, but to look at the holistic picture in terms of how the country will benefit in the long run. They have also highlighted that the Head of State has reduced the size of his entourage when he travels out of the country besides the Ministry responsible for the assignment.

The UPND Alliance partners have called on all well-meaning Zambians to support these foreign trips. The statement was issued by Emmanuel Malite, NDC Spokesperson.

HH emphasizes Zambia’s natural resources in face of climate change challenges, but M’membe raises concerns over food crisis

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HH emphasizes Zambia’s natural resources in face of climate change challenges, but M’membe raises concerns over food crisis

Republican President Hakainde Hichilema has stated that Zambia still has a comparative and competitive advantage in the face of climate change challenges, as the country still possesses the necessary natural resources to accelerate economic development. Speaking at the Dakar 2 Summit in Senegal, which focused on “Feed Resilience and Food Sovereignty,” President Hichilema emphasized that Zambia is home to various resources that can be effectively and efficiently put into production, such as hydrology, soils, agronomical conditions, and expansive land. He said, “Within the climate change challenges, Zambia still has the hydrology, soils, agronomical conditions and the expansive land that is available to be put into production.”

President Hichilema further stated that there is no need to open up new areas as the existing land for agriculture is still underutilized. He also highlighted that the New Dawn Government remains committed in working with small scale businesses in order to increase their productivity. He said, “We are committed to working with small scale businesses to increase their productivity, as they are the backbone of our economy.”

However, Dr. Fred M’membe, the President of the Socialist Party, has raised concerns over President Hichilema’s rhetoric and assessment of the situation in Zambia. In a statement, M’membe wrote that “Mr. Hakainde Hichilema’s rhetorical speeches to the outside world continue to raise eyebrows among concerned citizens.” He went on to say that while Hichilema’s assessment of the relationship between food security and political and economic stability is correct, he fails to mention the food crisis in the country under his leadership. Zambia is currently the fourth hungriest country on the African continent and fifth in the world, according to M’membe. He said, “With the chaos we have witnessed around fertiliser distribution this year and the skyrocketing prices of mealie meal and other basic goods, it should not come as a surprise to Mr Hichilema if protests mushroom across the country.”

President Hichilema also expressed concern over the hunger situation on the African continent, calling it shameful and urging African leaders to work together to address the issue. He emphasized that food security is key for political stability and enhancing democracy. He said, “It is shameful that Africa is hungry, and we need to work together to wash away this shame. Food security is key for political stability and enhancing democracy.” The President was in Dakar at the invitation of the President of Senegal and Chairman of the African Union, Macky Sall, to participate in the Dakar 2 on Agriculture.

Cholera breaks out in Zambia, kills one in Vubwi

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Cholera breaks out in Zambia, kills one in Vubwi

The Ministry of Health has received an alert indicating a cholera outbreak in Vubwi District of Eastern Province since 22nd January 2023.

Vubwi District has confirmed 4 cases, and are investigating another 7 suspected cases.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo announced in a statement that one death has been recorded from there.

Mrs Masebo revealed that the areas affected are villages within Chikoma, Mbande, Chipanje, and Mzigawa Rural Health Center catchment areas.

She said the District Rapid Response teams supported by Provincial Health Offices are urgently responding to try and control, and break transmission of cholera in the affected areas.

“To these ends, we have so far identified all the contact persons to the cases and established that the communities so far affected potentially includes up to 719 people in 6 villages in Vubwi District,” she said.

“A national level multisectoral/multidisciplinary team of experts led by the Zambia National Public Health institute (ZNPHI) were dispatched this morning to support the response. The support will be especially in the areas of surveillance, laboratory, Infection Prevention and Control, case management and risk communication and community engagement.”

Mrs Masebo said Zambia remains at risk of similar outbreaks beyond the currently affected districts, considering the ongoing cholera outbreak in neighboring countries that started in March 2022.

“The continued movement of our population across the borders for various reasons including trade and other social reasons has increased this risk. Eastern and Muchinga provinces are particularly the highest risk provinces for contracting of the disease. The Districts that are mostly at risk of this importation include Chipata, Vubwi, Chipangali, Lumezi, Chasefu, Lundazi and Chama in Eastern province and Nakonde, Isoka and Mafinga in Muchinga province.”

She added, “Furthermore, some areas within Lusaka, Luapula, Northern, Copperbelt, Central and Southern provinces are known to be cholera hotspots.

“With these confirmed cases, we are now officially declaring that we have a cholera outbreak. As articulated above, we are doing everything possible within our power to limit and hopefully stop the spread. I wish to call on each one of us to take this outbreak very seriously. We all need to be vigilant and do what we can protect our country from cholera.”

Meanwhile, The Ministry of Health in Nakonde District in Muchinga Province has tightened surveillance on Cholera.

Nakonde District Health Promotions Officer Gertrude Chipampe has disclosed that the District Health Office is on the lookout for any possible outbreak of cholera in the district.

Ms. Chipampe was speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Nakonde today.

She said Nakonde District shares boundaries with the neighbouring Malawi where over 31 cases of Cholera have been recorded since March 2022.

Ms Chipampanta added that a check point has been mounted along Kanyala road where people coming into Nakonde from Malawi are being screened.

She pointed out that the screening is also being done at the point of entry at Nakonde One Stop Border Post.

“We will be screening everyone coming from Malawi into our district, those from Nakonde to Malawi, will also be asking how long they stayed in Malawi, if they stayed for over two hours to five days, we have to screen for the signs,” she said.

Ms. Chipampe further urged the people of Nakonde to practice high levels of hygiene and ensure that their surroundings are kept clean and free from flies.

She says her office has also intensified awareness programs in Schools and is currently doing interactive programs on radio just to make sure that the community is kept abreast with information.

“Various stakeholders are also being engaged among them, the church and traditional leaders, so that we do not live anyone behind and ensure the district is protected,” She adds.

Malawi has recorded a total of 31,241 cases of Cholera with 1, 023 deaths since the onset of the outbreak in March last year.

29, 092 have since recovered while 1,126 patients are still admitted in health facilities as of January 25, 2023 according to a statement released today by Malawi’s Health Minister Kandodo Chiponda.

The Challenge of Succession in Former Ruling Parties

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The Challenge of Succession in Former Ruling Parties

 

Dr Godwin Beene appointed Country Manager of First Quantum Minerals in Zambia

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Dr Godwin Beene appointed Country Manager of First Quantum Minerals in Zambia

Former Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary Dr Godwin Beene has been appointed Country Manager of First Quantum Minerals in Zambia, taking over from General Kingsley Chinkuli, who will continue with the company on an advisory basis.

Dr Beene served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines from January 2009 to November 2011 during the Rupiah Banda led MMD regime.

According to Solwezi Today website, previously working as Government Affairs Specialists at FQM, Dr Beene has helped forge the path to positive, steady relationships between the government and the mining industry, offering vital support to outgoing FQM Country Manager General Chinkuli.

Analysts say Dr Beene, the President of the Zambia Chamber of Mines, is well-equipped for the job at hand, bringing to the table both industry expertise and the necessary familiarity with government operations and structures.

Dr Beene has since emphasised that the mining industry, though oftentimes at the centre of controversy, is the lifeblood of the Zambian economy.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be given this opportunity to run the Country Office of such a great company, which is also Zambia’s largest taxpayer with contributions to the national treasury exceeding US$5.6 billion. My role will be to work with the teams both at our Kansanshi and FQM Trident mines in a proactive manner to improve and maintain a good and constructive working relationship with the government, other industry players, and all stakeholders directly or indirectly affected by our mining operations, while safeguarding the interest of First Quantum Minerals Limited. Being familiar with how government structures operate is critical for this job. In addition, it is important to appreciate the operations of NGOs and CSOs, and how their mandates and operations influence public opinion of the industry and the government’s fiscal regime policy. The thrust is to win greater support from these organizations for the company and the industry in general,” said Dr Beene.

Dr Beene further said that hugely-important enablers to the sustainability of the Zambian mining sector are stable policies and a competitive tax regime.

He strongly advocates skills without borders to allow specialist skill sets simply not yet found in Zambia to come in and up skill local technocrats, train graduates and prepare them to take engineering positions in any mine in the world.

“I am always excited when I hear our Zambian technocrats moving to operations elsewhere as this demonstrates how well we train them here in Zambia. As they leave, we receive freshers and train them. I think this is a good thing” says Dr Beene.

Dr Beene explained that if a mining firm’s investments are properly and intelligently marshaled, the sustainability of the communities is a direct spin-off.

FQM in particular has invested heavily in the communities, in which it operates, and this has included improving access to quality health care by building health posts, sponsoring HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention programmes as well as agricultural improvement initiatives, community infrastructure development, gender equality programmes, and wildlife protection.

Dr Beene attained his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at Swansea University in the UK, in 1981.

In 1981, he joined the then-largest hydrometallurgical plant in Africa, Nchanga Tailings Leach Plant, as a graduate metallurgist. He rose to the position of Senior Assistant Metallurgical Engineer in 1984.

In the same year, he benefited from a two-year Beit Trust scholarship and returned to his alma mater as a research fellow to study for an MSc degree.

In January 1988, he was awarded a PhD in Chemical Engineering, after completing his thesis in the field of Surfaces and Colloids by developing a model to predict the behaviour of a mineral system under a prescribed environment.

Dr Beene is also credited as one of the founders of the modernised Engineering Institute of Zambia.

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