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File:Former president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda greets pensioners who visited him at Kabulonga office in Lusaka
The Zambia Local Authorities Retirees and Pensioners Association (ZALARPA) has joined calls by some sections of society urging government to immediately retain the subsidies on fuel and maize which government has removed.
ZALARPA President Mathew Nyakalale says the Association which comprises 8,000 pensioners will be negatively affected by the removal of the two subsidies.
Mr. Nyakalale said the removal of the subsidies has affected them because of non-payment of their terminal benefits coupled with the current high cost of essential commodities like mealie meal and the increase in bus fares.
Mr. Nyakalale said this in a press stamen released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
“The removal of fuel and maize subsidies has left retirees devastated. We urge the PF government to avoid making the same mistakes which were made by MMD,” he said.
He said urged the Government to avoid making mistakes which cost the previous MMD government to lose power because president Rupiah Banda never listened to the people of Zambia who put him in Office.
The ZALARPA President demanded that Government pays them their pension and live up to its 2011 campaign promises.
President Michael Sata has directed Ministers and their deputies to go round the country and explain the benefits of the subsidy removals aimed at diverting money to developmental projects.
[ZANIS]
Defence Deputy Minister, Colonel Joseph Lungu (second left)
Government has directed the Zambia National Service (ZNS) command to quickly setup a milling plant to help deal with the national shortage of milling capacity leading to high mealie meal prices in the country.
Defence Deputy Minister in charge of Rural Development and National Service Joseph Lungu said the move will help stabilize mealie meal prices by flooding the market with cheaper mealie meal.
Col. Lungu was speaking at Mangango ZNS Camp on his familiarization tour of ZNS offices in Western province.
He noted that ZNS has the capacity to become a major supplier of agro-produce in the region if given the necessary equipment.
Col. Lungu who bemoaned the maize yields the service has produced during the last farming season however said that government will empower the service with new farming machinery to promote mechanized agriculture production in all ZNS units.
He disclosed that government will purchase tractors, planters, sprayers and national centre pivot irrigation systems as a permanent feature for ZNS production units to which Mangango ZNS camp will benefit once it’s connected to the electricity national grid.
Meanwhile, the Defence Deputy Minister explained government’s removal of subsidies on fuel and maize to make the officers understand government operations.
He explained that government was losing about KR 300 through subsidies every month thereby deepening poverty levels in the country.
Col. Lungu said the removal of subsidies will help turn around the economy.
He further urged officers to remain committed to service by displaying loyalty, accountability and patriotism to government through quality service delivery.
The Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship is expected to introduce a new type of National Registration Cards (NRC) next month.
National Registrar General Mathews Nyirongo said the new National Registration Cards (NRC), which will be bio-metric with a chip, will contain additional security features such as finger prints to reduce fraud on the document.
Mr. Nyirongo told ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that the new NRC will be used concurrently with the old ones for some time.
He explained that after carrying out a successful tender evaluation, the department shortlisted three foreign bidders for the contract of issuing new NRCs.
He said the project is sponsored by the United National Development Programme.
Mr. Nyirongo said the programme of issuing new National Registration Cards was a long process which will be carried out in three phases.
He said Lusaka province will be in the first phase followed by all provincial centres and lastly by all districts.
He said soon after the tender is awarded, the department will embark of a sensitization tour across the country to educate the citizens on the credibility of the new NRC as compared to the old ones.
He observed that the current NRC has been vulnerable to fraud as perpetrators of the act have found it easy to open and refill or disfigure the face on the NRC and replace it with a fake one.
Mr. Nyirongo said the current National Registration Cards’ security was compromised thereby lowering the integrity of the card.
A staunch Kalulushi Modern Stars supporter is nursing wounds after being bitten by a dog at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola during Saturday’s FAZ Super Division match between his team and Zesco United.
Bernard Bwalya said he was bitten on the chest and hand as he was exiting the ground.
Bwalya narrated that he was going out of the ground when a dog which was in a vehicle over-powered its handler before it attacked him.
“I was going out of the ground towards the end of the match when a dog attacked me and bit me on the chest and on the hand,” he said.
“I am still feeling the pain although the wounds are slowly healing,” he added.
Bwalya stated that he rushed himself to Ndola Central Hospital after the incident and has been put on anti rabies injections.
The Patriotic Front in Lusaka province says yesterday’s agitation that led to PF cadres to pounce on Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) officials may have been caused by insulting and provocative language by MMD’s Die Hard coordinator Bowman Lusambo.
Speaking to Qfm in an interview, PF Lusaka Youth secretary Stanley Chumya says MMD die hard coordinator Bowman Lusambo is one of the cadres in the opposition MMD with an abusive language and that might have led to some PF cadres pounce on him.
Mr.Chumya has also refuted claims that Mr. Lusambo was beaten and threaten with death when he was abducted close to an hour.
Mr. Chumya has told Qfm in an interview that the PF’s action yesterday was only meant to stop an alleged demonstration by MMD members who were believed to have planned to protest against government’s decision to lift subsidies on fuel and maize.
Mr. Chumya has reiterated the need for the MMD members in the country to closely work with the ruling PF in fostering development in the country as opposed to engaging in violent politics.
Meanwhile the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has condemned in the strongest terms the harassment of a journalist during an incident in which suspected Patriotic Front cadres attacked Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) at Lusaka’s City Market.
A Muvi Television reporter is reported to have been caught-up in the locomotion while filming the incident in which suspected a PF mob pounced on MMD member.
In a statement released to QFM News, HRC spokesperson Samuel Kasankha says the commission is saddened with the violent attacks on journalists barely three weeks after Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Day.
The HRC spokesperson has since appealed to the political authorities in the PF and MMD to take action towards those who took part in the act at City Market.
Teachers in Kaoma District of Western Province have threatened to down tools if government implements its decision of removing double class and responsibility allowances.
Zanis reports from Mongu, that Three teacher unions said this when they stormed Kaoma District commissioner, Joster Manjolo’s office yesterday.
Zambia National Union of teachers (ZNUT), Chairperson Musangu Chipango says his members have objected the halting of their double class and responsibility allowances as the move will negatively affect the performance of teachers and thereafter that of pupils in the District.
Mr. Chipango has proposed that government should instead take stock of all its teachers in order to target only those that are getting these allowances illegally as opposed to an all inclusive withdrawal of the allowance as even the more deserving teachers will be unfairly deprived.
And Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) Chairperson, Inambao Mutata says his union supports the notion of equal pay for equal work but that it does not support teachers who were getting double class and responsibility allowances for poor quality service delivery.
Mr. Mutata however notes that the removal of the double class and responsibility allowances will disadvantage teachers attending to more than one class in under staffed schools and such a situation will also have an impact on pupils who are towards writing their exams.
Meanwhile Kaoma District Commissioner Joster Manjolo has since allocated transport to all the three teacher unions in the District to take stock of the teachers in about 100 schools spread across the Kaoma to find out deserving teachers for the allowances.
Mr. Manjolo has however maintained that government’s move to remove the responsibility and double class allowances will pay way to ensuring that only deserving teachers get such allowances.
The Zambia Local Authorities Retirees and Pensioners Association (ZALARPA) has joined calls by some sections of society urging government to immediately retain the subsidies on fuel and maize which government has removed.
ZALARPA President Mathew Nyakalale says the Association which comprises 8,000 pensioners will be negatively affected by the removal of the two subsidies.
Mr. Nyakalale says the removal of the subsidies has affected them because of non-payment of their terminal benefits coupled with the current high cost of essential commodities like mealie meal and the increase in bus fares.
Mr. Nyakalale said this in a press stamen released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
“The removal of fuel and maize subsidies has left retirees devastated. We urge the PF government to avoid making the same mistakes which were made by MMD,” he said.
He said urged the Government to avoid making mistakes which cost the previous MMD government to lose power because president Rupiah Banda never listened to the people of Zambia who put him in Office.
The ZALARPA President demanded that Government pays them their pension and live up to its 2011 campaign promises.
President Michael Sata has directed Ministers and their deputies to go round the country and explain the benefits of the subsidy removals aimed at diverting money to developmental projects.
Philip Mubiana accused of involved in a homosexual relationship walking into the court room while covering his face
Central Province Principle Resident Magistrate, John Mbuzi has rejected an application by defense lawyers to grant bail to two men appearing in court on allegations of practicing homosexuality.
The two are alleged to have committed the offence in Kapiri Mposhi kast month.
And Magistrate Mbuzi has adjourned the case to 5 June, 2013 for determination of constitutional issues raised by the defense.
This is in the case in which James Mwape, a bricklayer and Philip Mubiana a hair dresser both aged 21 and residents of Ndeke and Soweto compounds respectively in Kapiri Mposhi are facing four counts of engaging in homosexuality.
In the first count Philip Mubiana is charged with committing an unnatural offence contrary to section 155 (c) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
Particulars of the offence are that Mubiana, on unknown dates but between 11 and 25 April 2013 in Kapiri Mposhi in central province did permit a male person, James Mwape to have canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.
In the second count James Mwape is charged with committing unnatural offences contrary to section 155 (c) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
[pullquote]“The accused are being held in police custody to their advantage for security reasons so that society does not harm them looking at the offences they are accused of committing”, Ms. Banda said.[/pullquote]
Particulars of the offence are that Mwape, on dates unknown did permit a male person Philip Mubiana to have canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.
In the third count James Mwape is charged with committing an unnatural offence contrary to section 155 (a) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars are that on 5th May 2013 in Kapiri Mposhi Mwape had canal knowledge of a male, Philip Mubiana against the order of nature.
And in the fourth and last count Philip Mubiana is charged with an offence of committing an unnatural offences contrary to section 155 (c ) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws od Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
Particulars before court are that on 5 May 2013, Mubiana, while at Kapiri Mposhi district in central province did permit a male person James Mwape to have canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.
Magistrate Mbuzi declined to grant bail to the two men after an application by defense counsels when the matter came up for commencement of trial today.
The accused are being represented by William Ngwira and Mubanga Bwalya of SBN Legal Practitioners of Lusaka.
The defense applied for bail for the two accused stating that their clients were of fixed abode and that the offences that they are accused of committing are bailable.
The defense counsels also assured the court that the accused persons will comply with the bail conditions and avail themselves to the court when needed.
However, State Prosecutor and Divisional Prosecutions Officer, Hilda Banda objected that the accused persons should not be granted bail owing to their earlier abrogation of police bond which was given to them after they were arrested for the offences as charged.
Ms. Banda stated that the two had flouted the police bond which was given to them on 3rd may 2013 by committing the similar offence which they were charged for when they were released from police custody.
Ms. Banda also submitted that if given bail the two could interfere with their relatives who are state witnesses in the case .
She also submitted that considering the offences the accused are indicted for there is likelihood that society may rise against and harm them and hence they should be kept in police custody until further notice.
[pullquote]“One is innocent until proven guilty and on the issue of public perception there is no evidence before the court to state what the public perceptions are on this matter therefore, public perceptions should not be the basis of objecting bail for the accused because granting bail will be in the interest of justice,” Mr. Ngwira said.[/pullquote]
“The accused are being held in police custody to their advantage for security reasons so that society does not harm them looking at the offences they are accused of committing”, Ms. Banda said.
But Defense Counsel, William Ngwira argued that the opposition of bail by the state is against the presumption that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty.
Mr. Ngwira stated that the offences that the duo is accused of are based on allegations and not proven by the court and their continuous detention in police cells was against the fundamental provisions of the law.
“One is innocent until proven guilty and on the issue of public perception there is no evidence before the court to state what the public perceptions are on this matter therefore, public perceptions should not be the basis of objecting bail for the accused because granting bail will be in the interest of justice,” Mr. Ngwira said.
But in his ruling Magistrate Mbuzi refused to grant bail to the accused stating that the defense had failed to invalidate the state’s objection of bail on the basis that the accused persons may go and interfere with the state witnesses who are their relatives.
Magistrate Mbuzi also ruled that once given bail there is a possibility that the couple may go and commit similar offences as charged bearing in mind that they did so when they were granted police bond upon being arrested.
“The defense has not countered the grounds by the state to oppose the granting of bail on the basis of interference with the witnesses and the court order can be unreasonable because how will the court be sure the accused will not meet and commit similar offences… I therefore see a danger with the defense application therefore the appeal for bail is refused and the status quo remains,” Magistrate Mbuzi ruled.
And Magistrate Mbuzi has adjourned the case to 5th June 2013 for determination of constitutional issues raised by the defense.
This was after the defense applied for adjournment to prepare formal applications to raise constitutional issues in the High Court.
The defense applied that they needed time to raise and formally file the case of constitutional issues to the High Court and were hence asking for an adjournment.
But the state objected to the deferment of the matter arguing that the defense had not clearly stated the reasons for their application for an adjournment and the constitutional issues that they intend to raise to the high court.
However, Defense counsels submitted that they requested to be furnished with copies of medical reports on the accused to enable them get expert advice on the matter in contemplation of preparation of the defense.
“We wrote a letter to the state requesting for medical reports for our clients … we have not been answered until this morning when we have been served with a response that the state has rejected our request so in this court this trial is under ambush… we want to raise constitutional issues in the High Court in this matter”, Mr. Ngwira said.
“In the letter we pointed out to the state that the issue to be addressed is article 18(1) of the constitution which talks about the right to a fare trial… we are of the view that the medical reports should be made available in the interest of justice and for the accused to have fare trial”, Mr. Ngwira said.
Magistrate Mbuzi ruled that the defense can proceed with the application of the hearing of constitutional matters in the High Court while at the same time the Magistrates court continues with its business and quashed the defense application for an adjournment.
“If there are constitutional issues to be raised in the High Court you can proceed but that cannot stay the procession of the case in the Magistrate Court… so trial will commence,” Magistrates Mbuzi said.
[pullquote]“If there are constitutional issues to be raised in the High Court you can proceed but that cannot stay the procession of the case in the Magistrate Court… so trial will commence,” Magistrates Mbuzi said.[/pullquote]
However, after a five minute adjournment the defense reversed their earlier application for an adjournment based on the raising of constitutional issues in the high court.
Mr. Ngwira re-submitted that the defense will file for determination the constitutional issues raised with Magistrate Mbuzi and applied for an adjournment so that they can be allowed to prepare a formal application to the same court to determine whether the constitutional issues raised should be filed in the High Court.
Magistrate Mbuzi then adjourned the case to 5th June 2013 for determination of constitutional issues and commencement of trial.
Mwape and Mubiana entered a plea of not guilty last week.
The duo was arrested on 4th May 2013 for allegedly engaging in homosexuality contrary to the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
Council Public Relations Officer, Henry Kapata
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has embarked on an exercise of constructing more public toilets in Lusaka’s central business district.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, LCC Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata said the project was meant to deal with the problem of people urinating in drainages and in the streets of Lusaka.
Mr. Kapata said the exercise is expected to be completed by June this year.
He however said there was need to sensitize the public on the disadvantages of urinating on the streets if the problem was to be eradicated.
Mr. Kapata said currently, the council was putting up public toilets at four places in the central business district.
He added that more toilets will be constructed once other places are identified and funds are made available.
He also revealed that the council has received proposals from business entities on where the LCC can put up parking slots.
President Michael Sata has appointed Charles Banda as Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi and conferred Lusaka prominent lawyer, John Sangwa, with the status of State Counsel.
President Sata has since implored the duo to exhibit exemplary behavior in their discharge of national duties.
He said this at State House today shortly after swearing in the duo.
President Sata further advised the duo to desist from bad behaviour while holding important offices.
The head of state reminded Mr. Banda to represent Zambia well in Malawi.
And Mr. Sata urged Mr. Sangwa to exhibit good behaviour as he serves as a State Council.
Meanwhile President Sata today handed over bus keys to beneficiaries of Higer bus loans.
Over 1,000 buses have been procured from Higer Bus Company with the assistance from the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ).
The beneficiaries will be required to repay the loan over a period of five years to DBZ who are the financers of the bus loans.
President Sata said the buses will help improve the transportation system in the country.
He has since appealed to beneficiaries not to default but to repay the loans.
Meanwhile, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Colonel Panji Kaunda explained that government was not involved in the procurement of the buses.
Col. Kaunda told journalists that his ministry only facilitated the loan through DBZ to enable the Public and Private Drivers Association of Zambia (PPDAZ) purchase the buses.
He said the onus was on PPDAZ to identify drivers who were legible to get the buses on loan.
And PPDAZ president Josiah Majuru praised government for facilitating the loans noting that the development has created employment for drivers.
He said the buses will help end casualization in the transport sector as drivers will be empowered.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Stella Nghuvu, expressed optimism of repaying the loan within the stipulated time.
An ambitious married woman’s temptation by a handsome billionaire leads to betrayal, recklessness, and forever alters the course of her life.
PROS
Great acting by the cast especially Jurnee Smollett-Bell ,who plays the character of Judith .
Excellently written story line which grabs the attention on the viewer immediately .
It is good to have a Hollywood movie with an all black cast which is rare , but is Tyler Perrys trademark .
CONS
The inclusion of Kim Kardashian in completely unnecessary .Her character added little to nothing to the plot. She was basically there just to sell the movie to a specific target audience .
Vanessa Williams french accent sounded so fake and forced .
CONCLUSION
In the midst of all the summer blockbusters ,this stands out as a great couples movie . This is just a good old-fashioned story, simple but very effective , as it asked the question “is it greener on the other side?” . The movie has a bitter-sweet ending but leaves one thinking whether they are doing enough in there own relationships . It is definitely one of the best Tyler Perry movies i have watched .
President Sata with first president Dr Kenneth Kaunda during the Labour Day Commemoration at Freedom Statue in Lusaka on May 1,2013-Picture by THOMAS NSAM
President Michael Sata is tomorrow expected in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the AU 50 Celebrations and 21st Ordinary Session of the African Union which is scheduled to take place from the 25th to the 27th of May, 2013 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
The Summit, which is being held under the theme “Pan Africanism and African renaissance”, is aimed at celebrating Africa’s past, present and future and to energize Africa’s population to accelerate the agenda of Pan-Africanism and renaissance in the 21st Century in tandem with NEPAD.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Susan Sikaneta said President Michael sata is scheduled to arrive tomorrow at Bole International Airport.
President sata’s delegation comprises First Lady, Christine Kaseba, who will be attending the Organization of African First Ladies (OAFLA) General Assembly on the sidelines of the AU heads of state summit.
Ms Sikaneta said the 50 years celebrations will be a historical event, adding that 50 y ears ago , much of Africa was still under the yoke of colonialism and apartheid and today it is gratifying to note that the continent has been liberated from all forms of subjugation.
“We all know that the last 50 years have been fraught with so many challenges, but through it all we are proud of our achievements,” Ms sikaneta said.
She said the summit will look at the successes scored and the challenges still being faced as the continent tries to develop.
‘’It will be an opportunity to rebrand Africa and take it to the next level,” She said.
Other programmes on President Sata’s agenda will include the 10th Heads of State UN reform meeting which Zambia is a member, the 19th summit of the African Peer Review forum (APRM) and the 29th session of the NEPAD Heads of State and government orientation committee meeting.
President Sata will also attend the African leaders’ malaria alliance to review the progress made in combating malaria on the continent which will be concluded with landmark proclamation of the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU. The proclamation is a vision for Africa in the next 50 years.
Besides being a partner of nations which pioneered the formation of the African Union, Zambia was the chosen host of the transformation of the Organisation of the African Union into the African Union in 2001 at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Meanwhile, First Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, is this weekend expected to be hounoured by the African Union (AU) for his immense and selfless contribution to the liberation of Southern Africa.
Dr Kaunda is one of the founding fathers of what used to be called the Organization of African Unity, (OAU) which led to the liberation of the African continent.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Susan Sikaneta, says honouring of Dr Kaunda will be part of the activities to Celebrate 50 years of the African Union existence from inception when it was Organization of African unity (OAU).
Mrs sikaneta said honouring Dr Kaunda will be a great honour for Zambia. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 25th of May which is Africa Freedom Day during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, after which Dr Kaunda will address the gathering on the topic ‘’back in time”.
Dr Kaunda will also address an African youth and children’s integrated forum which will constitute an opportunity for intergenerational exchange, where young people will interact with current leaders and some of those who founded the OAU like, Dr Kaunda .
In addition to his efforts in Zambia, Dr Kaunda was in the forefront of the efforts to liberate all of Africa, serving as the President of the Pan African Freedom Movement for east, central and southern Africa (pafmesca) in 1962 and as chairman of the Organization of the African of African unity (OAU) from 1970 to 1973.
Dr Kaunda also played key roles in the mitigation of territorial disputes between Kenya and Somalia and the liberation movements in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) in Eastern province has urged government to extend the removal of similar allowances from officers in other ministries to ensure a full clean-up of civil servants’ payroll system.
AVAP Regional Coordinator, Maumba Ngoma said there were a lot of workers in other ministries apart from education who were getting allowances which they did not deserve on their salaries.
In a statement dated 21st May, 2013 made available to ZANIS in Chipata yesterday, Mr Ngoma said the stance taken by government so far to remove some allowances from teachers’ salaries should be commended by all well meaning Zambians.
He said this was not a new trend as the Pensions Association in the region was also asking its members to submit their details so that ghost pensioners were removed from the system.
“What government is doing is to ensure that public funds are protected and the clean-up system should be extended to other ministries,” Mr Ngoma said.
He noted that some government workers such as those in the judiciary, education and health were getting rural hardship allowances which they were not entitled to as the areas where they were operating from were not rural but peri-urban areas.
Mr Ngoma observed that government was losing millions of Kwacha from payment of allowances to undeserving public servants adding that, the money could benefit the majority poor Zambians.
Last week the Ministry of Education removed double class and responsibility monthly allowances respectively from teachers’ salaries, a move which has sparked anger by the educationists.
Some Teachers’ Unions have urged government to expedite the cleaning of the payroll system of teachers to remove ghost workers so that deserving teachers could start receiving their allowances again.
Mulungushi University Great North Road main campus students have vowed not to sit for end of semester examinations until they are addressed by the government over several outstanding issues affecting their studies.
Academic Affairs Secretary Jessen Siamutwa told ZANIS yesterday that the union has since written to the government seeking to be addressed over a number of issues among them, the University’s infrastructural developments, students’ bursaries and the removal of subsidies on fuel and maize.
Mr Siamutwa said the students are deeply disturbed and that they have therefore resolved to boycott examinations that commenced on Monday 20th 2013 until they get answers on the prevailing issues from Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba.
And construction material and other items worthy over Sixty thousand (KR60,000) rebased was yesterday gutted at the campus under unknown circumstances, allegedly to be in connection with the students reaction over the prevailing issues.
