Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Kabwe Warriors maintained their four-match unbeaten run when they defeated troubled Forest Rangers 2-1 at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
However, Warriors were forced to come from behind after Forest striker Owen Kaposa had put the Ndola side ahead in the 41st minute.
And that is how scores stayed going into the break as memories of their opening day 1-0 loss at the hands of Zesco United on March 16 came rushing back for Warriors.
But veteran striker Owen Mwendabi saved Warriors day with a brace in the 58th and 82nd minutes to extend promoted Warriors’ unbeaten run to four games in which they have picked 10 out of a possible 12 points.
Kabwe Warriors maintained their four-match unbeaten run when they defeated troubled Forest Rangers 2-1 at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
However, Warriors were forced to come from behind after Forest striker Owen Kaposa had put the Ndola side ahead in the 41st minute.
And that is how scores stayed going into the break as memories of their opening day 1-0 loss at the hands of Zesco United on March 16 came rushing back for Warriors.
But veteran striker Owen Mwendabi saved Warriors day with a brace in the 58th and 82nd minutes to extend promoted Warriors’ unbeaten run to four games in which they have picked 10 out of a possible 12 points.
Government has ordered management at U-rest Form Limited in Ndola to reinstate the workers’ union with immediate effect.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda gave the directive when he visited U-rest Form Company in Ndola yesterday.
Mr Shamenda said individual members cannot make a decision to stop contributing to the Union but that this should be agreed upon with the mother body of the workers representatives.
Mr Shamenda said government was interested in the productivity of companies so that enough revenue could be raised by the Zambia Revenue Authority .
The Labour minister said if companies failed to remit taxes to ZRA government would lose out on revenue hence the need to ensure that there is production in companies.
Meanwhile, Government plans to de-gazette land near the forestry area in Ndola to allow for the expansion of the city.
Minister of Labour and social Security Fackson Shamenda disclosed this when he addressed residents of Dora Hills in Ndola central constituency yesterday.
Mr Shamenda who is also Ndola Central Constituency PF Member of Parliament said the people in his area will be given priority to acquire residential plots once the forest land is de-gazzetted.
Mr Shamenda said about 60 percent of the plots would be given to his constituency adding that he was not discriminating against anybody but pointed out that priority should be given to residents in Ndola central constituency.
He said over 200 residential plots would given by the council adding that ZAFFICO employees should not be left out.
He explained that people that bought houses at Dora hills were former ZAFFICO employees but pointed out that current ZAFFICO employees had not benefited from the sale of institutional houses hence the need for them to be considered for residential plots.
Mr Shamenda also paid tribute to the residents of Dora hill for helping to put Patriotic Front (PF) into power during the 2011 tripartite elections.
He noted that without their votes PF would not be in power today adding that this was the reason President Michael Sata was committed to taking development to all parts of the country.
He said President Sata’s leadership does not discriminate against any one because he is a listening president.
At the same function, Ndola district chairperson George Chisulo said the former ruling party MMD was just promising them houses until PF which he described as a people’s party came into power and heard their plight by giving them houses.
Mr Chisulo said this when he welcomed MMD members who defected to the ruling party and asked PF members to work with them.
He said development was taking place in all parts of the country because President Sata loves all Zambians.
Government has assured the country that there is no shortage of fuel despite Trafigura not offloading the commodity at Tazama Petroleum in Ndola.
A senior government official says this is there are enough stocks of fuel supply in the country.
Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary said this when he visited Tazama Petroleum in Ndola yesterday.
Mr Zulu explained that there has been a high influx of fuel tankers arriving in the country hence the incidences of most of them being marooned at the plant in Ndola.
Mr ZULU said the other cause of the prevailing situation at Tazama Petroleum was because of the mistrust by the supplier (Trafigura) who has not yet received the letter of offer of credit due to delays from some banks.
The permanent secretary however directed Tazama Petroleum to send some trucks to Lusaka so that they could offload the commodity in readiness for the commissioning of the reserve tanks next month.
He commended truck drivers for their patience and urged them to guard the flammable trucks to avoid a serious accident.
And Tazama Petroleum General Manager PATRICK MUSENYESA said the arrival of fuel tankers is beyond the capacity of Tazama Petroleum.
Mr Musenyesa however pointed that the recent closure of Nakonde border post due to confusion on the Tanzanian arising from religious fighting between Christians and Muslims led to the high influx of fuel tankers into the country.
Mr Musenyesa said the situation at the plant is expected to get back to normal soon as by yesterday about 230 tankers had offloaded the commodity.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has refuted media reports alleging that staff assigned on road traffic patrols receive unjustified allowances.
RTSA Principal Publicity Officer Mercy Mwila said the allowances referred to are in fact subsistence allowances to help staff meet their daily requirements while out of station on highway patrols.
This is because the officers are required to spend nights and days away from home.
In a statement to ZANIS, Mrs. Mwila disclosed that RTSA staff only receive a subsistence allowance of KR500 per night meant for meals, accommodation, and mobility when out of town, adding that the amount is below the normal government night allowance.
She explained that in 2012, RTSA in partnership with the Zambia Police, and the Road Development Agency (RDA) launched a National Road Traffic Enforcement Programme funded by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) which was meant to address the unprecedented high levels of road traffic accidents which killed more than 1,600 people in 2011.
Mrs. Mwila further explained that in an effort to address this scourge through road safety sensitization and intensifying traffic patrol, human and financial resource was needed, prompting all the partner institutions to put their resources together to meet the desired objectives.
She observed that with over 40 000 kilo meters of road to be covered, the partnership involved all road sector agencies and the Zambia Police team being given roles and tasks while managing the roads.
Mrs. Mwila said it is due to the requirement to travel to districts while collaborating with Police Officers in respective Provinces that a subsistence allowance of KR500 per night was recommended to contribute towards staff welfare in accommodation and meals.
She added that the allowance is not a stipend to appreciate staff involvement despite their participation in enforcement after working hours on a daily basis.
Ms. Mwila disclosed that the Agency uses a schedule to alternate staff involvement which also contributes to reducing familiarity with motorists on public roads.
She urged the public to feel free to report any corruption activities involving traffic officers saying the Agency will ensure it is promptly stopped.
Republican vice president Dr Guy Scott says there is need to clean up the distribution of subsidized fertilizer and inputs.
Dr Scott said government is aware that the distribution of subsidized fertilizer under the Fertiliser Input Support Programme-FISP is characterized by corruption.
The vice president made this revelation when he appeared on a special programme on Radio Liseli, a community radio station in Mongu.
Dr Scott wondered how the intended people can benefit from the FISP if the exercise is mugged with corruption.
Dr Scott explained that the subsidized fertilizer is meant for viable small scale farmers.
The vice president however lamented that the people benefiting from the subsidized fertilizer are big farmers and some civil servants instead of the small scale farmers.
Dr Scott reaffirmed the government’s commitment in cleaning up the distribution of subsidized fertilizer.
Meanwhile, Dr Scott says government will establish Zambia News and Information Services offices in all the nine new districts created by President Michael Sata in the western province.
He said the new ZANIS offices will help government have access to the concerns raised by the grassroots in the districts.
Meanwhile, Dr. Guy Scott has left Mongu for Lusaka following his tour of duty in western province where he also graced the 2013 Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people held yesterday.
The Vice President was seen off by Provincial Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba, district commissioners and senior government and ruling PF party officials.
Dr. Scott who described the ceremony as successful, was accompanied by his wife charllote, cabinet, deputy ministers and senior government officials.
The ceremony was also attended by 65 chiefs from Zimbabwe, local and International tourists among others.
Meanwhile, business came to a stand still in Mongu and Limulunga districts yesterday as people left their stands and shops to witness this year’s Kuomboka ceremony.
The ceremony was celebrated admidst tight security by the Zambia Police and traditional security personnel.
Later in the evening, hundreds of people took a glimpse of King Imwiko Lubosi II who was dressed in a royal attire as he arrived to the safer land.
The King was received by his subjects with traditional songs and dances by different dance troops across the province.
Kalulushi referee Abudi Lungu was on Saturday forced to abandon the FAZ Division One North match between Mufulira Wanderers and visiting Nkwiza when a home fan allegedly poured Chibuku beer on the assistant referee.
Lungu is said to have called-off this Week Five game at Central Sports Grounds in the 80th minute when Nkwiza were 1-0 up.
Peter Poleni gave Nkwiza a 62nd minute lead before crowd trouble begun late in the game.
Suspected Wanderers supporters are reported to have stoned Nkwiza keeper Nono Kasongo before shifting their attention to the assistant referee.
Winless Wanderers have collected two points from the opening four games.
Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (centre) shares a light moment with Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa (left) and Zambia Railways Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa
The Zambia Railways saga has deepened with five board members who are not serving in government now accusing Chief Executive Officer Clive Chirwa of demanding to be paid US$560,000 as his annual salary (or K248 million per month) which the Board says it rejected.
The five, who are not serving in Government, are Mark Chona, the chairperson, and members Geoffrey Mulenga, Irene Mbewe and Jonam Mwansa issued a statement last evening responding to an exposé by Lusaka Times of the ongoing wrangles at Zambia Railways.
The Board members also denied a statement from Transport Minster Christopher Yaluma that they are receiving about K7, 000 per sitting.
They insist that the board members are paid K2, 600 as sitting allowances.
ZRL Board vice-chairperson Oliver Saasa, who issued the statement on behalf of his colleagues, accused Professor Chirwa of gross mismanagement and serious breaches of corporate governance ethos.
Professor Saasa said Professor Chirwa has been making decisions without the approval and involvement of the Board, a practice he said was against corporate decision-making.
[pullquote]“Prof Chirwa embarrassed the Board when he announced that he would invest the US$120 million Eurobond funds to turn around the company without a feasibility study which he said was a waste of money,” Prof Saasa said.[/pullquote]
“Prof Chirwa embarrassed the Board when he announced that he would invest the US$120 million Eurobond funds to turn around the company without a feasibility study which he said was a waste of money,” Prof Saasa said.
“As a result of this development, the Board resolved that Clive Chirwa should not be allowed to throw money to major restructuring projects until management has submitted to the Board for approval clearly-argued and properly sequenced activities,” Prof Saasa said.
“The Board has received insults from him for maintaining this position and, in one of his letters to the chairperson of the Board, he stated that he is at a different level of ‘intellectuality’ to be wasting his time with what he describes as a useless Board that is doing nothing and delays the implementation of ‘his’ grand vision.”
Prof Saasa said Prof Chirwa’s differences with the Board started when it rejected his demand for $560,000 annual salary (or K248 million per month) and 25 per cent shares in ZRL at the end of his five-year contract.
This is in addition to K2.6 billion annual bonus and six free tickets per annum for his wife to UK/Europe which the Board and the Government considered obscene.
He said Prof Chirwa even attempted to shift the company’s headquarters from Kabwe to Lusaka which the Board rejected because the move could only be effected with the Government’s approval and the Board’s endorsement.
He said Prof Chirwa had refused to shift to Kabwe and was living at Fallsway luxury apartments and the company was paying K72 million as monthly rentals contrary to the Board’s directive.
He said that when the company received the $120 million from the Eurobond funds, the money was deposited in Zanaco account yielding four per cent interest when Finance Bank was offering between seven to 12.5 per cent interest depending on the period.
He said that Prof Chirwa was self-centred and did not recognise the Board and had refused to facilitate the development of a strategic plan for ZRL preferring to use his document he developed before the Board was appointed.
[pullquote]“Any procurement that ZRL management may be undertaking now are outside the clearance or guidance of the Board and if there are irregularities they are completely outside the knowledge, let alone sanctioning of the Board,” he said.[/pullquote]
Prof Saasa said one issue that bordered on corruption was Prof Chirwa’s attempt to use his own company, Clavel Incorporated, to train all senior management staff at the company without declaring interest.
He was advised that the Board would not allow single-sourcing as it was against the Government’s procurement regulations and that President Michael Sata had already made a clear position on the matter and was briefed on current court cases regarding anomalous procurement practices.
Prof Saasa said legal opinion received by the Board suggested that the singular act bordered on criminality in a country that boasted of zero-tolerance to corruption.
“As CEO, Prof Chirwa also wanted to chair the tender committee and when the Board advised him that the move was against good corporate governance, he refused to accept resulting in tension with some Board members. In the meantime, he had advertised big procurement jobs for supply of equipment, including initiating the recruitment of senior management staff before the Board’s approval,” he said.
“Any procurement that ZRL management may be undertaking now are outside the clearance or guidance of the Board and if there are irregularities they are completely outside the knowledge, let alone sanctioning of the Board,” he said.
On accusation that the Board suspended the finance manager because she refused to pay Board members huge allowances, Prof Saasa said there were financial irregularities and the office of the Auditor General had been requested to carry out a forensic audit.
Board Chairman Mark Chona is Sunday afternoon scheduled to hold a news conference at the Hotel Intercontinental over the same matter.
Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Wynter Kabimba
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba says any civil society group or political party having difficulties trusting the Patriotic Front on the new constitution should not do so through the media.
Mr. Kabimba who is also PF Secretary General says those having reservations on whether or not the ruling party will respect the wishes of the Zambian people on the constitution should instead write to the government as opposed to making public statements in the media.
His statement follows some concerns raised by some stakeholders that the ruling PF may not keep its word on subjecting the final draft constitution to a national referendum following the adoption of some contentious articles by the just ended National Constitution Convention.
Mr. Kabimba has also told Qfm News that the ruling PF will not run the affairs of government in the media by responding to every statement that civil society groups or political parties make in the media against the PF.
The National Convention resolved that the national referendum be conducted at least within 12 months after the report has been handed over to the President in order to allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia to prepare for the exercise.
The closure of National Convention marked the conclusion of the formal consultative process on the drafting of the Zambian constitution.
The National Convention received and considered comments and recommendations of the 10 Provincial Conventions and further examined and deliberated on the clauses of the First Draft Constitution.
Vice President Guy Scott
Republican Vice President Guy Scott has described the relationship between the PF government and the Baroste Royal Establishement (BRE) as excellent.
Dr Scott revealed this during a live radio program at Lyambai radio community station in Mongu yesterday.
The Vice President told listeners that the PF government shares a common agenda with the BRE that of bringing development to the province.
Dr Scott lamented that Western province was neglected by the previous administration hence the under development in the area.
However he emphasized that the PF government is working hard in a bid to develop the area.
Dr Scott cited the creation of new nine (9) districts as one way the government is using to bring development closer to the communities, adding that the creation of districts will result in a creation of 200 jobs per district.
Dr Scott hinted that nine District Commissioners have since been appointed for the newly created districts.
The Vice President further said more jobs will be created once the construction of the stadium and university commences.
The Vice President is optmistic that the people of Western province will feel the impact of development as government implements various development projects in the province.
Dr Scott however, stated that the PF government has the commitment of developing the entire country.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampyongo says there is need for local investors in Muchinga Province particularly Chinsali to ensure that documents of acquiring land are approved by the Local Authorities.
Mr Kampyongo said it is important that the local investors follow the laid down procedures of acquiring land in order to avoid causing confusion on the Chinsali Local Area Plan.
He said as people begin on the construction of infrastructure in the provincial headquarters there is need for the people to be guided on the areas suitable to build the kind of structures they are putting up.
Mr Kampyongo said this during a stakeholders review meeting held at Chinsali’s Council Chamber yesterday.
And speaking at the same meeting, Chinsali Municipal Council Town Clerk Patrick Kambita said it has been discovered that some headmen are issuing land within the 16 hectares of land which Senior Chief Nkula forfeited to the PF government for developmental purposes early last year.
Mr Kambita said despite the sensitization meetings which were held earlier this year for Chiefs to sensitize their people on the state land, some leaders are still encouraging illegal activities concerning land.
Mr Kambita said some people have illegally been issued land at Nambuluma turn off saying such will greatly affect the Local Area Plan if not checked.
The Town Clerk said to ensure the smooth running of the new Chinsali Town, Chiefs must help in stopping the vice, adding that if something goes wrong with the planning, the authority will be blamed.
Mr. Kambita said if people acquire land illegally and start building on the state land it will lead to buildings being demolished which will be costly to the government as owners of such buildings will seek compensation.
Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo has charged that demolishing of buildings will be another expenditure on the part of the local authority even before the projects commence, adding that the matter is better off resolved now than later in order to avoid over spending.
In another development, Chinsali Town Clerk has disclosed that funds worth KR 1 million have been allocated to the local authority for the construction of the Civic Centre in Muchinga Province.
However, Mr Kambita lamented that the amount allocated will not be enough to build the kind of structure befitting the status of a Municipal Council.
He said the council intends to build a 6-story building, adding that the council will appreciate if government releases more funds to enable them build the desired structure and use the KR 1 million as a starter.
On the planned construction of a civic centre, Mr Kampyongo has advised Chinsali Municipal Council to ensure that a plan is instituted before starting to spend the funds.
Mr Kampyongo who is also Shiwang`andu Constituency Area Member of Parliament has since urged all Ward Councillors who were present at the meeting to work as a team and ensure that the information discussed is shared.
“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”
(Exodus 13:21, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Fear is exaggerated. It can be overwhelming. It always takes you to the worst-case scenario. Fear is like a fog. It will always cloud the truth. It tries to make you stumble. It tries to block your vision and keep you from seeing the good plan God has on the road up ahead.
So how do you lift the fog of fear? In the Bible, God led the Israelites toward their Promised Land with a cloud by day and a cloud of fire by night. It was the cloud of His glory. The cloud of His glory is where you’ll find joy, strength, peace, love and protection. It’s where you’ll find vision and direction. It will keep you on God’s path. Scripture tells us today that when we worship, He inhabits the praises of His people. He brings His glory into our midst. When God shows up, the enemy has to flee. When the cloud of His glory is present, it burns up the fog of fear.
Today, if you feel like you’re in a fog of fear, stop and get into the cloud of His glory. Put on some worship music and turn your heart toward the Father. When you praise Him, He shows up and lifts the fog of fear so you can clearly see the good plan He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your presence which drives fear out of my life. I praise You today because You are good and worthy. I magnify You and receive Your grace and strength today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Collins Mbesuma scored a brace to inspire Pirates to a 3-1 CAF Champions League home win over four-time champions TP Mazembe in Johannesburg this evening.
The win leaves Pirates needing only a draw in the return leg in Lubumbashi in a fortnights time to see Mazembe make a rare pre-group stage exit from the competition.
Mbesuma was on target in the 57th minute and completed his brace from with a penalty in the 90th minute.
The Zambian striker won the penalty after going down deep into injury time after making contact with Mazembe goalkeeper Mutaba Kadiaba.
Meanwhile, Pirates took the lead in the 2nd minute through Onyekachi Okonkwo before Mazembe striker Patou Kabangu made sure the two sides went 1-1 into the break.
Meanwhile the match enjoyed significant Zambian interest n the pitch.
Defender Hichani Himonde and midfielder Rainford Kalaba played the full 90 minutes for Mazembe while compatriot Nathan Sinkala came on in the 66th minute for the visitors.
Nkana continue to set the pace in the FAZ Super Division this season after a 1-0 home win over Konkola Mine Police in Kitwe.
The 11-time league champions are enjoying their best start since 2001 when they won their last league title.
Striker Reynold Kampamba made sure of the three points with a 47th minute strike to score his third goal of the season.
Nkana are unbeaten this season in their opening five games on 13 points, two more than second placed Konkola Blades.
Meanwhile, Blades ended Red Arrows unbeaten run with a 1-0 home win in Chililabombwe thanks to a 76th minute goal from Lazarous Kambole.
However, hot on their trial are next door neighbours Nchanga Rangers who beat early demotion candidates Kalulushi Modern Stars 1-0 at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola through a Felix Nyaende 47th minute goal.
Nchanga and Blades are tied on 10 points.
And in Lusaka, Napsa Stars picked up their first win of the season after thumping coach-less Lime Hotspurs 3-0.
Mike Silayvwe scored the opener in the 13th minute before Dube Phiri struck a brace in the 39th and 45th minute.
Meanwhile, Roan United too picked up their first win of the season.
They shocked Nkwazi 2-0 away in Lusaka today thanks to goals from veteran striker Zachariah Simukonda in the first minute and Lyson Sikaonga in the 82nd minute.
Week Five Results and Fixtures
20/04/2013
Napsa Stars 3-Lime Hotspurs 0
Zesco United 1-Power Dynamos 1
Nkana 1-Konkola Mine Police 0
Nkwazi 0- Roan United 2
Nchanga Rangers 1-Kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Konkola Blades 1-Red Arrows 0
21/04/2013
Zanaco-Green Buffaloes
Kabwe Warriors-Forest Rangers
Striker Graven Chitalu equalised one minute before the final whistle as Power Dynamos forced a 1-1 away draw at Zesco United in Ndola.
Chitalu headed in a Kamuzati Kabwe free-kick to help Power salvage a point in this FAZ Super Division match at Trade Fair Grounds.
Ex-Power defender Daudi Musekwa gave Zesco a 70th minute lead from the spot-kick beating Chipolopolo keeper Joshua Titima.
Musekwa stepped forward after Kabwe referee Wisdom Chewe penalised Power defender Billy Imonda for hacking Lottie Phiri in the box.
It was a game of two halves with Power dominating the first 45 minutes and were unlucky not to take an early lead when winger Kennedy Mudenda hit the upright in the 9th minute.
After Saturday’s Week Five draw Zesco move to eight points while Power have increased their tally to six points
