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Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga
The PF government has removed the five percent fuel subsidy and increased fuel pump prices.
Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said diesel has since increased by 1 kwacha 63 ngwee per liter, Petrol by 1 kwacha 75 ngwee per liter and Kerosene by 1 kwacha 68 ngwee per liter effective mid night tonight.
Mr. Mukanga told a media briefing today that the price of kerosene and diesel will in the short term be equalized in order to prevent adulteration which has the potential to negatively affect the performance of the motor vehicle engines.
Mr. Mukanga said it has become necessary to remove the fuel subsidies in the prices of fuel in order to meet the current costs of delivering and supplying the products.
“In order to reduce the level of increase in fuel prices, the government has decided to remove the five per cent import duty chargeable on crude feedstock. Furthermore, the government has reduced the KR0.24 that was chargeable on petrol for the strategic reserves fund to KR0.15 on all products,” he said.
He said the fuel subsidies which were introduced by the MMD government to benefit the poor only benefited a few of the intended beneficiaries.
“Current evidence suggests that that the poor have benefited the least from this measure. Key consumers of fuel who are the mining industries and urban dwellers that are able to own vehicles have benefited most from this measure,” Mr Mukanga said.
“Given the current economic conditions, the government was committed to improve the welfare of the Zambian worker as well as the most vulnerable and poor in our society,” he said.
He said in addition, taxes on fuel will in future be reflected in absolute and not percentage terms as a way to mitigate increases in the price of fuel.
The Energy Minister explained that the measure will however require changes in the law which will be considered at the next seating of parliament.
Mutapa has been fired together with his assistant Kelvin Kanyanta.
“The termination of their services was resolved at the club Executive Committee meeting which was held on Monday, 29th April, 2013 after noticing their unsatisfactory performance,” Nkwazi’s spokesperson Levy Lilanga said in a statement.
His dismissal comes despite winning his last game in charge beating fellow early strugglers Forest Rangers 2-1 away in Ndola on April 28.
“The club Executive Committee observed with dismay that out of the six games the team had played, it has only managed to acquire seven points instead of 18 points translating into a 38% win. Therefore, the executive has described the performance as unacceptable as its desire is to be a goal oriented one to keep the team fly high.”
Nkwazi has elevated assistant coach Davey Musole to head the bench to be assisted by Lameck Nyangu.
The Police outfit is currently 10th on the table ahead of this Saturdays clash against promoted Kalulushi Modern Stars.
Oswald Mutapa has been fired as Nkwazi coach.
Mutapa has been fired together with his assistant Kelvin Kanyanta.
He becomes the second coach to be fired this season after promoted Lime Hotspurs dismissed Mathews Ndholvu after three games played into the 2013 season.
“The termination of their services was resolved at the club Executive Committee meeting which was held on Monday, 29th April, 2013 after noticing their unsatisfactory performance,” Nkwazi’s spokesperson Levy Lilanga said in a statement.
His dismissal comes despite winning his last game in charge beating fellow early strugglers Forest Rangers 2-1 away in Ndola on April 28.
“The club Executive Committee observed with dismay that out of the six games the team had played, it has only managed to acquire seven points instead of 18 points translating into a 38% win. Therefore, the executive has described the performance as unacceptable as its desire is to be a goal oriented one to keep the team fly high.”
Nkwazi has elevated assistant coach Davey Musole to head the bench to be assisted by Lameck Nyangu.
The Police outfit is currently 10th on the table ahead of this Saturdays clash against promoted Kalulushi Modern Stars.
Former MMD National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe has today testified in the Lusaka Magistrate court in the case in which former republican president Rupiah Banda is charged with abuse of authority of office.
Major. Kachingwe told the court that between the 2007 and 2009, while he served as deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, he had dealings with a company known as Sarb energy.
He testified that while in that country he was approached by two gentlemen who told him they wanted to do some oil business in Zambia.
He narrated to the court that he referred the two who he identified as Mapen and Acpen to a Mr. William Ngwira who could help them establish some contact in Zambia.
Major Kachingwe told the court that the two further told him that they had another proposal of a government to government crude oil contract.
He testified that after discovering that the Nigerian crude oil was not compatible with the Zambian refined oil from Indeni the discussion could not continue, adding that it was at this time that he had to travel for late President Levy Mwanawasa’s funeral.
He told the court that after the funeral, then acting president Rupiah Banda informed the late George Kunda and then Energy minister Kenneth Konga about the request if they could buy some Nigerian crude oil.
Major Kachingwe narrated that it was then agreed that the two presidents Rupiah Banda and his Nigerian counterpart Umaru Musa Yar’Adua should have a one to one talk about the proposal, and that president Banda also wanted to lobby for the approval of the Sarb Energy deal for the supply of 45 thousand barrels of crude oil per day.
Major Kachingwe also recalled that during the meeting former Defence Minister George Mpombo was also present and he suggested that the proceeds of the crude oil deal be used for poverty alleviation in Zambia.
But defence lawyers Eric Silwamba and Irene Kunda interjected stating that they were concerned about the hearsay and that the court should rely on hearsay.
The defence lawyers also argued that the state should bring cases grounded on facts and not hearsay.
“Pick a battle so large that the world will see the hand of God was evident”
Those are the types of messages one will get from this amazing album. Pompi, who started out as a “circular” rapper, got born again and decided to praise the lord through his God given talent for music.
“My God is true,the devil is a lair, made me think I could only worship in the choir”
What really stands out on this album is the production. It is fresh, original and does not sound like your typicalZambianalbum, (which all seem to have a similar bass line). Production of this album was handledby Magnus Mando (I&M Sounds) and Sam Chitundu. Vocally this as close to perfect as you can get. He switches from singing to rapper seamlessly, and shows great vocal ability. The lyrical content on this album is awesome. All the song have a great message, while not being “traditional” gospel songs, he shares the word of God through story telling of different situations. A good example of this is the song “Refuge”, In which a husband is telling his wife how he is not able to support her financially “…you cannot have love for dinner…” but his wife tells him she has faith in God and that he will help them through the tough time . (I am paraphrasing of cause, as Pompi sang it much better).
Stand Out Tracks
First of all, all the songs are amazing and have a great messages,every time I listen to them ,I have a new favourite , but if I had to pick 3 that stand out they would have to be ;
“Make up” – this is just a beautiful song. nuff said
“Tule Shana” -In Tule Shana he sings about his peers reactions to his decision to make gospel music.
“Giant Killer” – This is the first song I heard from the album. It just spoke to me, and I knew I had to buy it. Basically it is about everyone having a “giant” in their life ,ie , a big problem which they think they can’t overcome , but with God , you will be a “Giant killer” (…well that’s my interpretation of it).
The good thing about his songs is that they speak to different people in different ways.
The only down side to this album is some of the featured artists just cannot match to Pompi , an example is fellow rapper ,Tio, on the song “Empty Thrones “He just sounds lost and is completely unmatched .
“Gotta follow his trend I be like me too, me too, I just wanna be like you .twitter follow @Jesus, Facebook like”
In my opinion this is the best way to bring people to Jesus, cause as they are enjoying the music they will also get a great message and be encouraged.
I wouldn’t necessarily call this a gospel album cause that would be putting it in a box, so let’s just say it’s a great piece of music which everyone, young and old, should have.
1 Guy Scott on his way to Lukulu West where he allegedly broke the electoral code of conduct and earned himself a title of “Stupid White Man ” from UPND Leader Hichilema Hakainde
2 Guy Scott
3 Guy Scott
4 Polling agents with elections materials for Kapiri Mposhi by elections boarding a ZAF chopper to the Kilwa islands in readiness for the Kapiri Mposhi bye elections
5 Kapiri Mposhi Council secretary who is also the district electoral officer Mr Hamwende Mpande addressing stakeholders from political parties and electoral observers at the pre elections briefing at lukanda basic school in Kapiri Mposhi
6 Low turnout of voters has characterized the Kapiri Mposhi elections this is one of the polling stations in the Kapiri elections
7 Elections officials verifying details of a voter during elections at matilyo polling station in Kapiri Mposhi
8 Low turnout of voters has characterized the Kapiri Mposhi elections this is one of the polling stations in the Kapiri elections
9 Newly declared Kapiri Mposhi PF Member of Parliament Hon Eddie Musonda and uis wife show the PF sign after being declared the winner at the kapiri Mposhi Civic centre
10 Newly declared Kapiri Mposhi PF Member of Parliament Hon Eddie Musonda is being escorted to the vehicle by PF campaign manager for Kapiri Hon Philip Kosamu after being declared the winner at the kapiri Mposhi Civic centre
11 NEWLY declared Kapiri Mposhi PF Member of Parliament Eddie Musonda is lifted should high by his supporters after being declared the winner at the Kapiri Mposhi Civic centre,
12 UPND candidate Misheck Mutelo celebrates with his supporters after he was declared winner of the Lukulu West by-election at Mitete basic school
13 North-Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu concedes defeat after UPND candidate Misheck Mutelo scooped the Lukulu West by-election
14 UPND candidate Misheck Mutelo is smeared with face powder by his wife Pauline after he was declared winner of the Lukulu West by-election at Mitete basic school
15 UPND candidate Misheck Mutelo is smeared with face powder after he was declared winner of the Lukulu West by-election at Mitete basic school
16 UPND candidate Misheck Mutelo is lifted shoulder high after he was declared winner of the Lukulu West by-election at Mitete basic school
Sixteen people died on the spot while four others sustained serious injuries when the Toyota Hiace Minibus Reg. No. ACP 3052 they were travelling in collided with an on-coming truck opposite Ibis gardens in Chisamba.
The driver of the minibus only identified as Costa is among the dead.
The other deceased persons comprising of eight males and eight females have not yet been identified.
The accident happened today around 06:30 hours along the Great North road when the driver of the bus lost control after a rear tyre burst and went on to hit into an on-coming truck and overturned.
The minibus was coming from Kabwe to Lusaka.
The driver of the Volvo truck belonging to SABOC transport of Zimbabwe Reg. No. AAF 8926 and trailer No. 6767T Nathan Kambauwa aged 40 of Harare escaped unhurt.
The bodies of the deceased are lying in Liteta hospital mortuary while the injured are admitted in the University Teaching Hospital.
Police Spokesperson comfirmed the tragedy in a statement and appealed to members of the public whose relatives were travelling from Kabwe to Lusaka this morning using the involved minibus to help with the identification of the bodies.
On February 6 2013, more than 50 people died in Chibombo when a Post bus they were travelling in lost control and hit a truck.
The foreign truck which was hit into by a speeding minibus after a tyre burst
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has justified his reference to Vice President Guy Scott as a ‘Stupid Whiteman’.
Mr Hichilema said this because Dr. Scott does not respect the country’s rule of law.
He said that there has been a breakdown in the rule of law in the country ever since the Patriotic Front government came to power.
Mr.Hichilema told Qfm in an exclusive interview that the ruling party has no respect for the Zambian laws and the more reason why they should not expect to hear anything good from him.
The unapologetic UPND leader stated that he should instead be praised for asking the Vice President to stop breaking the electoral rules without remorse.
Mr. Hichilema stressed that there has been too much of the break down in the rule of law and that Zambians will not remain quiet and watch public resources being abused during campaigns by the ruling party.
He has since maintained that he will not apologize to the vice president stating that there is nothing to apologize about, but the need to respect the rule of law as it is key to maintaining peace and suitability.
PROSPECTIVE investors studying Zambia would be forgiven if they felt they did not have a clear idea about the Southern African country’s economic policies.
Its economy is booming on high demand for commodities — it is a key global player in copper and cobalt production and also gifted with gemstones and gold — and it has a history of political stability mainly cemented during the long rule of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).
But under the government of President Michael Sata and his Patriotic Front, investors have received a mixed bag of practices (and policy). The government has taken back some companies sold to private businesses under the MMD and has appeared to clamp down on foreign investors.
Vice-President Guy Scott has been at pains to explain what is happening. His view is that the government and country are still on a sound footing. Yes, the government has grabbed back some companies previously sold, but that does not represent a policy shift to socialism. Mr Scott says reversal of those sales — including a mobile phone operator to Libyan investors and that of Finance Bank to South Africa’s FirstRand group — was part of the party’s election manifesto. There is no clarity whether the investors kicked out will get any compensation or will be paid back the value of their investments.
[pullquote]Second, no opposition politician needs to earn his stripes by spending nights in jail, especially because of an archaic colonial law on public order[/pullquote]
He argues that the deals were not entirely above board in the first place and added little or no value to Zambia. What Zambia would like to argue is that it is cleaning up business practices and ensuring that the environment guarantees fair play, natural justice and security for investors’ cash.
Harassment of the political opposition is another matter that has vexed investors. An inability to tolerate dissenting views is always a bad sign in democracies and is viewed as anti-business. But Zambia argues it is only holding opposition leaders to account for claims they make and that even Mr Sata, while he was still an opposition leader, spent many nights in police cells as governments investigated his political outbursts. Mr Scott argues that Zambia’s opposition is bent only on soiling the government’s good name.
But any government that wishes to attract investors on a global scale needs clarity around its policies. It needs to explain its decisions to investors and citizens. It cannot arrogantly imagine that these things are clear to everybody. Dr Scott argues that too much is placed on happenings in Zambia mainly by people who do not understand the country or its history. But primarily because this ignorance exists, the government must do substantially more to educate investors about what it is trying to achieve and how it is going about it. This is no time to hide its head in the sand.
Second, no opposition politician needs to earn his stripes by spending nights in jail, especially because of an archaic colonial law on public order. Although Zambia says that the law is under review, it must take active steps to repeal it to convince both citizens and investors that their security is guaranteed fully by the country’s constitution.
Communicating is not as easy as it always appears to be. The government must be as clear as possible about its intentions.
[pullquote]Zambia, or any other country in the region, must strive not to hurt these important strides through poor communication and ambiguity about policies and intentions.[/pullquote]
Stability and growth in Zambia is important to the Southern African Development Community region. It would mean the region is slowly but surely moving towards its target of reducing poverty and improving household incomes.
With recent rapid growth in countries such as Angola and Mozambique, the region cannot be seen to be undermining efforts to tap and utilise foreign direct investment.
Zambia, or any other country in the region, must strive not to hurt these important strides through poor communication and ambiguity about policies and intentions.
[ Business Day is South Africa’s Financial Newspaper]
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has told off its fellow opposition MMD to face reality that the former ruling party was no longer attractive to prevent members from crossing to other political parties of their choice.
UPND Copperbelt chairperson Elisha Matambo said MMD should stop accusing them of poaching its senior members because those leaving to join the UPND because it was the more attractive party of the two.
Mr Matambo was reacting to accusation by MMD director of communications Muhabi Lungu that UPND had betrayed the former ruling party by poaching its senior members.
Mr Lungu over the weekend said the MMD was reviewing its strategy on how it would work with other opposition political parties following the alleged betray by UPND for going against the agreement to work together.
But Mr Matambo said MMD members leaving the party coming to join them were doing so because of the good policies and leadership of UPND, which was attracting them.
“What our colleagues are failing to understand is that we are two different political parties with different policies and programmes.
“The members ditching MMD and joining us are being attracted by the good policies and leadership and when they come, we can’t say no,” Mr Matambo said.
He said MMD should end the poaching accusation because those joining UPND where doing so on their own.
“People are coming to join UPND on their won and as a party, we are ready to embrace them as long as they don’t have a criminal element,” he said.
Mr Matambo said every Zambian had the right to join the party of their preference and so those joining UPND should not make MMD feel betrayed.
And UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said MMD members joining UPND were only exercising their democratic right and freedom of association and that this should not make MMD cry foul.
“MMD should understand that both they and UPND are in opposition and that it’s not a loss if members decide to leave them to join UPND because they have their own reason of doing so,” Mr Kakoma said.
Government has urged the police command in North Western and Copperbelt provinces to beef-up security measures in a bid to curb illegal mining of copper and other precious minerals.
Last week, two Illegal miners were killed when a tunnel they attempted to quarry copper ore from at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Chingola collapsed due to heavy rains.
Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa said the Government will not condone a principle that allows a few selfish individuals to amass wealth by robbing Zambians of their precious mineral wealth through illegal mining activities.
Mr Musukwa who is also Wusakile Constituency Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) said in an interview yesterday that the Government was concerned with how perpetrators would indulge in illegal mining, a scourge which is detrimental any individual’s safety.
“Illegal mining of minerals is unacceptable and as Government we will not condone a principle where only a few selfish individuals benefit from our mineral wealth. I urge the police command in North western and Copperbelt provinces to monitor this situation closely and bring the culprits to book,” he said.
In a separate interview, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Nkole Chishimba said illegal mining of copper should be curbed at all costs to avoid distortion in the economic values realized from the country’s mineral wealth.
Mr Chishimba said stakeholders in the mining sector must come together to devise mechanisms on how illegal mining of copper and minerals can be curbed.
One of the streets in Kitwe with statue of a miner called Mposa mabwe or stone thrower
Erratic water supply has for the last two weeks hit several townships of Kitwe causing residents and in particular women to wake up in the hours of the morning when it is still dark to go and fetch for the commodity away from their respective homes.
The few selected households that have been fortunate to receive the rationed water, which normally start to run from the taps around 05:00 hours and only last for about an hour or two, have been characterized by scramble for the commodity by the women.
A check by the Times around Chimwemwe, which is one of the townships hit by erratic water supply found scores of women and children carrying buckets of water on their heads walking to and from the points of source of water.
Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) public relations manager Damaseke Chibale attributed the erratic water supply to rehabilitation and maintenance works being conducted on the water system.
“We have a water project for rehabilitation and maintenance currently going and so sometimes we need to shut down the water system to facilitate connections and replacing of water lines,” he said.
Mr Chibale said the problem of erratic water supply was expected to continue until somewhere around end of 2013 when most of the rehabilitation and maintenance works would have been carried out.
He appealed to Kitwe residents to bear with the utility over the problem of erratic water supply caused by the on-going water works, he said was for the good of everyone.
NWSC is currently implementing a $63 million African Development Bank (AfDB) funded water improvement project, which involves the overhauling of the entire water and sanitation network covering Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi towns.
Meanwhile, Mr Chibale said the utility had commenced the installation of water prepaid meters exercise on a pilot basis for selected residential areas mainly the high cost.
“The prepaid metering project has started but on a pilot basis and when we would have seen how it will work, we will see if can roll it out,” Mr Chibale said.
File: Father Frank Bwalya addressing a PF rally during the run up to the 2011 elections
Outspoken Catholic Priest Fr. Frank Bwalya has been urged to stop attacking the PF government in the media.
PF Lusaka District Chairman Goodson Banda said Fr. Bwalya should stop behaving like a football referee who issues out red cards to players on the field of play whenever they cause fouls.
Mr. Banda said the PF still views Fr. Bwalya as a friend of the party adding that there is no need to attack the PF government in the media.
“We have taken note of the things he has said about our party but we disagree with him completely. He can’t compare the PF to the MMD, we are very different entities,” Mr. Banda stated.
He added, “Fr. Bwalya should know that he doesn’t carry the minds of Zambians in his pocket. Zambians can make up their own minds about how things are going and Zambians today are happy with President Michael Sata.”
Mr. Banda said Fr. Bwalya always has access to top PF leaders including President Michael Sata where he could express his grievances than rushing to the media.
“Rushing to the media will not help him. He knows where the party leadership is and he should just go there and present his grievances than attacking the party in the media,” he said.
“Every organisation has problems and we also have problems in the PF, even the Church where he is coming from has problems but we don’t hear about such problems in the media. As PF we want to treat the Church as partners but they need to recognise that we have the mandate of the people until 2016.”
Mr. Banda was speaking in an interview in reaction to Fr. Bwalya’s explanation that he resigned as ZESCO Board Chairman in order to freely criticise the PF government whenever it makes mistakes.
The FAZ Division One North Week Six match between Kasanshi Dynamos and Kitwe United failed to take place on Saturday after Mufulira referee Amos Chalwe failed to travel to Solwezi.
Chalwe is said to have been ignorant that Kansanshi plays their home matches on Saturdays unlike many Division One teams that fulfils their fixtures on Sundays.
The match commissioner is reported to have proposed that a local referee handles the match but Kitwe rejected this plan.
The match has since been referred to the FAZ disciplinary committee.
