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Zambian coaches Tenant Chilumba and Kelvin Kaindu battle for supremacy at the top of the Zimbabwe Premiership this Saturday.
Kaindu’s Highlanders travels to face FC Platinum this weekend, a side coached by Chilumba are first and second on the table respectively.
Both head into the ninth round of matches this season tied on 19 points.
The tie favours Kaindu who has yet to lose against Chilumba since arriving in Zimbabwe in 2012 from Zanaco recording 1-0 home and away wins over the latter when he was previously in charge at Hwange.
Kaindu enjoy the same form against Platinum last season and Chilumba will not want to suffer from a another bout of De ja Vu this weekend.
Last season, Highlanders beat Platinum 3-1 away and 1-0 as Kaindu’s team raced to finish second behind eventual champions Dynamos.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba Sata being conferred with the American Collage of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Honorary Fellowship Award in New Orleans, Louisiana
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata has been conferred with the American Collage of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) Honorary Fellowship Award in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The First Lady was conferred the award for her outstanding contribution to her profession as an Obstetrician-Gynecologist at the ongoing 61st ACOG Annual clinical meeting.
In his introductory remarks before the award, Dr Jeffrey Stringer highlighted some of Dr Kaseba-Sata’s achievements both locally and internationally.
Among the achievements highlighted were her support for the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Initiative, a partnership with several international entities to expand the availability of cervical cancer screening and treatment, “Saving Mothers Giving Life Project” a new initiate sponsored by the United States and other donor countries to reduce maternal mortality world wide.
The First Lady who is also a distinguished clinician, researcher and public health professional is a tireless advocate for women’s health.
Dr Kaseba-Sata is current chair of the Forum of African First Lady’s Fight Against Cervical and Breast Cancer. And speaking soon after receiving her award, the First Lady said she was humbled by the award adding that it was gratifying to note that her efforts in Zambia have been recognised by the Collage which has a membership of over 57,000.
Dr Kaseba-Sata was one of two gynecologists conferred with the status of Fellow at the Presidential Inauguration and Convocation attended by over 3,000 obstertricians and gynecologists drawn from North America and Europe. Dr Kaseba-Sata observed that her participation in this years Annual Conference was a learning experience for her adding that she will implement some of the modules learnt which show the environmental effects on pregnancy.
This will in turn contribute towards reducing maternal and infant mortality. Also present at the Convocation ceremony was Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States Palan Mulonda. During the ceremony ACOG outgoing president Dr James Breeden handed over the office of president to Dr Jeanne Conary.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba Sata being conferred with the American Collage of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Honorary Fellowship Award in New Orleans, Louisiana
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Amos Malupenga
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Amos Malupenga, has clarified that no contract has been awarded to any company for the commissioning of a national digital terrestrial television broadcasting system in Zambia.
And Mr. Malupenga has described the conduct by Star Software Technologies Company Limited, the preferred bidder for the job, to issue a media statement on the ongoing tender process as misleading, unprofessional and uncalled for.
Mr. Malupenga has however explained that Star Software Technologies Company Limited has been selected as a preferred bidder to be awarded a contract subject to meeting all conditions stipulated in the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) Act.
He was reacting to media reports in some newspapers and online publications that quoted Star Software Technologies Company Limited as having said government had awarded a contract to the company for the digital migration programme.
Mr. Malupenga explained that after the closure of receiving bids, a ministerial committee met to evaluate all the bids that were submitted and settled for Star Software Technologies Company Limited as a preferred bidder.
He further explained that Huawei Technologies Company Limited, ZTE Corporation, Gospell Digital Technology Company Limited and King Tai Investments Zambia Limited were unsuccessful bidders.
The Permanent Secretary said reasons for rejecting Huawei Technologies Company Limited’s bid were non compliant, supply of partial quantities and omission of items.
Mr. Malupenga said as for ZTE Corporation, the reasons were non compliant, omissions of items, non compliant to technical specifications while Gospell Digital Technology Company Limited’s bid was rejected for non compliant, bid security and partial quantity.
He pointed out that King Tai Investments Zambia Limited’s bid was rejected for non compliant and insufficient proof of similar contracts handled on television broadcasting equipment.
Mr. Malupenga added that late last month, the ministry issued a notice in the Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail newspapers informing all the five bidders and other interested parties of its decision to settle for Star Software Technologies Company Limited as its preferred bidder.
He further said the notice, did not in itself constitute an award of contract and bidders that were aggrieved had the right to appeal under ZPPA Act within ten working days excluding the labour day and weekends.
Meanwhile, Mr. Malupenga has described the conduct by Star Software Technologies Company Limited to issue a media statement on the ongoing tender process as misleading, unprofessional and uncalled for.
Mr. Malupenga said he does not understand the intentions of Star Software Technologies Company Limited to issue a statement to the media when the firm knows too well that the ministry can only award them a contract after the Ministry of Justice under the Office of the Attorney General had done its work.
Zambia will join the rest of the world in migrating from the analogue to digital television in June 2015.
For this reason, government is expected to award a contract to a company to supply, deliver, install and commission a national digital terrestrial television broadcasting system in Zambia before the deadline.
DATE: THURSDAY, 9TH MAY 2013
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SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF STATE COUNSEL
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We wish to draw the attention of members and the general public to the law regarding the appointment of State Counsel. Section 17 of the Legal Practitioner’s Act provides the procedure for the appointment as follows:
17. (1) Any practitioner wishing the rank and dignity of a State Counsel for Zambia to be conferred upon him shall submit his application, accompanied by the recommendation of two State Counsel, in that behalf to the Attorney-General.
(2) On receiving such an application, the Attorney-General shall, after consultation with the Chief Justice and the (Law) Association (of Zambia), make such recommendation thereon to the President as he thinks fit, and the President may, after taking such recommendation into consideration, in his discretion, either reject the application or, subject to the other provisions of this Act, appoint, by Letters Patent under the Seal of the Republic, the applicant a State Counsel for Zambia.
The Council of the Law Association of Zambia has taken the position that should the Association, during the consultation process, express an opinion that a Practitioner should not be granted the Honour and dignity of State Counsel, but the said Practitioner is nevertheless granted such honour and dignity then the Association will send a notification to the membership and the public as to why the Association did not see it fit to recommend the appointment. This will apply also to those appointed without following the procedure stipulated above. The Association will reserve its rights in all respects pertaining to such appointments.
It is the position of the LAZ that State Counsel must command respect within the profession and as such, such honour must be granted on merit and not due to any other considerations. This decision is meant to preserve and protect the profession and the honour and rank of State Counsel.
Patients sleeping on the floor while waiting to be attended to at Liyoyelo Urban Clinic which is in a bad state for both health workers and of the patients
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) bemoans the continued challenges being faced in the Health sector. We note that the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has been hit by a crisis of lack of pre nun milk, a supplement needed for the survival and growth of premature babies.
Premature babies in UTH are now depending on well-wishers for the supply of the supplement, which should not be the case. Through the media, we have also learnt that health centres in the country are rationing Anti Retro Viral (ARV) Drugs to HIV patients due to the short supply of the commodity to the Ministry of Health.
We note that at the moment, HIV patients are receiving one month prescription as opposed to three months of the drug. Our concern is that if the Ministry of Health does not act swiftly and procure the ARVs in the right amounts as required to cater for all patients, we risk having patients being affected adversely if they run out of the Drugs. The shortage of these drugs is life threatening and can also result in drug resistance if there is no consistency in the uptake of the drug on the part of the patient.
It is sad to note that on one hand, the Government is able to mobilize resources to facilitate unplanned for by-elections
We have further learnt that in addition to low staffing levels at Kanyama clinic the clinic does not have blankets for patients. CSPR therefore implores the Government to quickly intervene and address the situation at UTH, short supply of ARVs and Kanyama clinic without delay and ensure measures are put in place to improve health service delivery in public health facilities as this is where the majority of poor Zambians access health care.
Through CSPR’s budget tracking and service delivery monitoring work around the country, we have continued to note that rural health facilities still battle with shortages of drugs, equipment, poor staff attitude and poor staffing levels. Therefore we call upon Government to prioritize issues raised within the health sector to ensure that lives are not lost unnecessarily.
It is sad to note that on one hand, the Government is able to mobilize resources to facilitate unplanned for by-elections but on the other hand fail to provide adequate funds for improving health service delivery. We further call for a higher level of transparency and accountability towards dealing with issues in the health sector by Government and demand that priority be given to addressing operational issues at the highest health referral point.
We want to see a higher demonstration of political will towards the health sector which is very cardinal for human development and ultimately national development. If the health sector is not governed properly, we might see a situation where for instance progress said to have been scored in the reduction of child mortality rate under the Millennium Development Goal begin to be reversed.
By Diana Ngula
Information and Communication Programme officer
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction
Power Dynamos chairman Owen Silavwe has implored the Beston Chambeshi led technical bench to work hard and improve the performance of the team.
Silavwe said he was not impressed with Power’s start to the Super Division campaign.
Power have picked 10 points from seven matches so far.
He said Power have assembled a good team that can challenge for the league title.
Silavwe was speaking when Copperbelt Energy Corporation presented a luxury bus to the club on Wednesday.
“The peformance can only improve as long as the technical bench works hard,” he noted.
“Obviously, we haven’t had the best start to the season but we believe we have a solid team.
“We hope the arrival of the new bus is going to motivate players,” Silavwe stated.
On Saturday, Power face Roan United in the lunch-hour kick off match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe before Nkana host Zanaco at 15:00 hours to complete a doubleheader at the same venue.
The Road Traffic and Safety Agency, RTSA, has donated assorted food items worth K10, 000.00 to the families of the victims of the Chibombo bus accident in Kabwe.
Kabwe District Commissioner, Patrick Chishala, handed over the donation to the deceased victims’ families, at his office on behalf of the Agency, company yesterday.
Mr Chishala said among the donated items included 76×25 Kg bags of Breakfast Meal, 18x 10 KG Bags of Rice, 18x 10Kg bales of Sugar and 18×10 Litres of Cooking Oil.
Dry Kapenta, Detergent Pastes, Salt and Tea Bags where the other donated items..
The District Commissioner explained that considering that each bereaved family will receive an equal share of the donation.
Mr. Chishala has however advised the affected families to promptly choose administrators to smoothen the process of receiving the donations.
He said this is also necessary because there is need for the families to identify the items of the deceased persons at the Police Station.
He thanked RTSA for the donation and advised other well-wishers wishing to make the donations to contact his office.
Mr.Chishala also cautioned the bereaved families against diverting the donations saying anyone found wanting will risk persecution.
And speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Simon Kasanda, thanked RTSA and the Office of the District Commissioner for the kind gesture.
Mr. Kasanda has also thanked government for its assistance it has rendered from the time of the accident with regards to transport, coffins and other logistics because this has demonstrated that the government truly cares.
He added that although this cannot replace their loved ones, they are glad that their relatives are still being remembered.
Mr Kasanda said the families will remain indebted to all Zambians for the great support they have received during their trying times.
18 people died in a fatal traffic accident on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 when the bus they were travelling in, lost control due to a tyre burst and overturned in Chisamba while on its way to Lusaka.
[ZANIS]
Solwezi General hospital staff demonstrate outside general hospital premises after a Ukraine Dr Movchan Seargy was murdered from his residence in the Hospital Compound on Sunday night. Dr Seargy,an Anaethetist from Theatre Section was found dead in the early hours of Monday.The murder of Dr Seargy by unknown people has angered workers at the hospital who have vowed not to attend to patients as this gluesome murder has come barely after three years ( from 2010) when another Ukrainian doctor was found murdered by unknown people in the same locality. Dr Seargy replaced his murdered counterpart from Ukraine.
Work at Solwezi General Hospital was paralyzed yesterday after health workers protested against the gruesome murder of a Ukrainian Anesthetist doctor who was found shot dead in an unclear circumstances.
Solwezi General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Mathew Ng’ambi said the health workers at the institution were concerned and saddened by the death of Dr Sergiy Monachov whose services played a critical role for the community of North-Western province.
Dr Nga’mbi said workers at the health institution now fear for their lives as they do not know who is next, adding that another Ukrainian Anesthetist doctor was murdered in unclear circumstances barely two years ago.
Speaking during the meeting with provincial, Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu, Solwezi General Hospital Public Relations Officer Levy Muna expressed worry that once such incidences continue, it will scare away foreign medical experts at the institution.
Mr Muna said that the health workers at Solwezi general hospital have in the recent past been experiencing incidences of murder and harassment by members of the community and claimed that the police in the province are not helping to bring the culprits to justice.
He said the workers will now be serving the community with fear once these issues remain unchecked.
And Provincial Minister, Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the murder of foreign doctors at Solwezi general hospital will send a negative signal to the outside world.
He said the trend does not reflect the nature of the Zambian people who he described as peaceful and assured that government will ensure that the assailants are brought to book without delay.
Mr Mubukwanu said the late Dr Monachov provided service that was very beneficial to the Zambian people and that government is saddened by his untimely death.
“Government has alerted the security agents in the country to ensure that culprits of bad vices are brought to book without delay, so I’m assuring you that my office will do everything possible to address the challenges you have raised,” he assured.
Dr Sergiy Monachov, 55, a Ukrainian national was over the weekend found shot dead in his right chest in an unclear circumstances at his house in hospital compound in Solwezi district.
He was an Anesthetist at Solwezi General Hospital where he had worked for only 8 months.
Mongu District Commissioner Maurice Litula has advised Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) limited to explore the vast energy resource in bio-fuel.
Mr. Litula says if the Utility firm can exploit the vast resource in bio-fuel because of the huge cattle population in the area, it will have an alternative source of power for the district and the entire nation.
ZANIS reports that District Commissioner was speaking at a District focus sensitization workshop on energy organized by the Energy Regulation Board held at the Provincial Conference hall in Mongu yesterday.
Mr. Litula noted that the creation of more districts will facilitate the opening up of more filling stations and other fuel deficit areas in the Province.
He has since urged ZESCO and the Energy Regulation Board to actively work with his office, the local authority and other key stakeholders to address numerous energy concerns in Mongu district.
Western province is mainly a cattle land where the people in the area have lived on and at times depend on the domestic animals for their livelihood both economically and socially.
Meanwhile, Energy Regulation Board Manager for Southern Region Allen Polito said the board’s role is to implement government policies.
THE Government is reviewing the findings which emanated from the recent negotiations between the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and public transport operators to discuss the possible hike in bus fares following the 15 percent increase in the fuel pump price.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Christopher Yaluma said in an interview yesterday that RTSA had already submitted a report from the meeting and the Government is studying the report in order to make an informed decision on the matter.
“RTSA have submitted a report from the meeting which they had with bus operators on Monday. So we are currently reviewing and once we are through with the study, the outcome will be made known to the public,” he said.
Bus operators countrywide had said they would hike fares at the beginning of this week in view of the KR 1.75 increase to the price of all petroleum products.
However, a survey later yesterday revealed that bus fares in Ndola remain unchanged as operators are still charging commuters the old amount for transport on all routes in the city.
Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe (c) talks to a Chinese exhibitor (l) as My Home Town Chairperson George Cornhill (r) looks on at the on going Choma trade fair and festival in Choma.
Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has called for unity among political party members in order to achieve economic development.
Mr Munkombwe said there is need for good working relationship between opposition members and those from the ruling party for the betterment of the Zambian people.
The Provincial Minister said this at Nsongwe Basic School in Senior Chief Mukuni’s chiefdom yesterday when he officiated at a celebration of the connection of electricity to Nsongwe village.
He also noted that strong leadership with good followers can bring about massive economic development in any given society.
Mr Munkombwe praised Nsongwe Sustainable Development Coordinator Bridget Meyer and her husband Bob who have been a driving force in bringing electricity to Nsongwe village.
He also thanked the donors, Jan Miller and Wendy Burger for their contribution in making sure that Nsongwe village is connected to the national grid and urged them to continue with the good works everywhere they will go.
Earlier, Nsongwe Sustainable Development Coordinator Bridget Meyer disclosed that she had a vision of making sure that her village is electrified one day.
Ms Meyer said she was happy that her dream had finally been achieved adding that the quality of education for the pupils at Nsongwe Basic School shall improve.
At the same event, Katombola Member of Parliament Derrick Livune said he was impressed with the development of rural electrification at Nsongwe village.
Mr Livune disclosed that the area becomes the third in Kazungula district to receive electricity.
And Livingstone Member of Parliament Lawrence Evans praised the donors and the initiators of the project for the job well done.
He said pupils from Livingstone district will equally benefit from the services from Nsongwe Basic School which is now electrified because the area which is under Kazungula district shares a boundary with his constituency.
Meanwhile, Nsongwe Basic School Head teacher Edissy Makala said the installation of electricity at the school will bring about development in the area.
Ms Makala charged that teachers will now have enough time to prepare for their lessons adding that even pupils themselves will be exposed to other learning programmes such as computers.
And Senior Headman Vincent Simasiku appealed to the community members to guard the installation of electricity in the area jealously.
Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Wynter Kabimba
Government has transformed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) into an independent National Prosecution Authority (NPA) which also targets to create over 1,700 jobs countrywide when fully functional.
All criminal prosecution functions would now be vested in the NPA to operate under the National Prosecution Authority Act, No. 34 of 2010.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said prior to enactment of the NPA Act, the DPP used prosecutors from other law enforcement agencies to prosecute criminal cases in subordinate courts at district level.
Mr Kabimba was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the induction of NPA Board members where he challenged them to ensure cases recommended for prosecution had over a 90 per cent success rate if taken to court.
“NPA will promote the integrity and enhance the status of State advocates and prosecutors to promote honourable and good practices and increase the confidence of the public in State advocates and prosecutors,” he said.
NPA Board chairperson is DPP Mutembo Nchito while his vice is Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary Josephs Akafumba.
Other members include Public Service Management Division Permanent Secretary Velepi Mtonga, Ministry of Labour Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda, a bank and administrator Kelly Mwanamwale, a legal practitioner Dean Mwansa Mumba and Mbololwa Muyaba, chief
administrator NPA.
Mr Kabimba said the NPA would develop, promote and enforce internationally comparable practice standards for prosecutors and ensure rules and guidelines for professional ethics were responsive to effective administration of criminal justice.
He said it would implement an effective prosecution mechanism that would maintain the rule of law and contribute to fair and equitable criminal justice and effective protection of citizens against crime.
He said the NPA would also appoint State advocates and prosecutors and promote appropriate standards of practice by State advocates and prosecutors in criminal prosecution.
The authority would conduct research into various disciplines of law to study the role that prosecution mechanisms should play in establishing effective rule of law and human rights to bring the law in line with developments and best practices of other countries.
Mr Kabimba said the NPA was reinforced by President Michael Sata’s policy pronouncement on the establishment of the office of the District Attorney in all the districts.
“The establishment of the office of the District Attorney entails decentralisation of prosecution services in the quest to make prosecution of cases more efficient by enhancing the delivery and dispensation of justice,” he said.
He urged the Board to expedite implementation of President Sata’s policy pronouncement and that they should take a proactive approach in the administration of the criminal justice system.
He said the Board should have an objective state of mind coupled with fairness adding that they should maintain confidentiality as they carried out their core duties.
The Minister said in 2012, the Government approved the organisational structure of NPA that had a staff establishment of 1,712 positions spread across the country.
NPA currently existed in only five districts namely Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Livingstone and Kitwe.
Mr Kabimba said a robust staff capacity was competent to prosecute emerging crimes such as financial and white color cases which would entail intensive training programmes for the prosecutors.
Government would further revamp operations of the legal aid system to ensure a professional balance between NPA and legal aid.
He said the current delivery of criminal justice was besieged with many challenges and the Board should ensure cases recommended for prosecution had over 90 per cent of a success rate if taken to court.
He said people found misappropriating public funds among others politicians and public officers should be successfully prosecuted and convicted expeditiously.
And Mr Nchito assured Zambians that the Board would work diligently to ensure effective delivery of the criminal justice system and at the same time fighting corruption.
He said the Board would keenly follow all pertinent issues of public interest and was confident the NPA structure would be decentralised to create more jobs in line with Government’s desire.
In attendance at the induction were Attorney General Mumba Malila, Solicitor General Musa Mwenya, Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani and Anti-Corruption Commission director Rosewyn Wandi.
President Michael Sata has ordered the media to stop quoting Henry Sosala as Senior Chief Mwamba of the Bemba people in Kasama in Northern Province.
According to a document obtained in Lusaka yesterday signed by President Sata and addressed to Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo, Mr Sata noted with displeasure and alarm at the manner Mr Sosala had continued to masquerade under the title of Senior Chief Mwamba.
He said it was not the intention of his administration to interfere in chief’s succession processes but would equally not stand idle and watch the “deliberately” created confusion take root in the management of chiefs and traditional affairs.
He was of the firm belief that coming from the royal family, Professor Luo, valued and possessed full knowledge on how Bemba chiefs were chosen and subsequently installed on the chieftaincy.
“On his own admission, the said gentleman, Henry Sosala has confessed publicly in the media (refer to the Post newspaper edition No. 6039) where he said, “…he has not undergone the traditional initiation rituals as required by the Bemba tradition.” With this confession, how then can Mr Sosala continue carrying the title of Senior Chief Mwamba?
“By copy of this letter I am demanding that the media immediately cease quoting or admitting any material for publication from the said gentleman, under the title of Senior Chief Mwamba until this confusion is sorted out,” Mr Sata said.
FILE: President Michael Sata with Malawian High Court Judge Lovemore Chikopa (second l), Justice Naboth Mwanza (r) rand Justice Thomas Ndhlovu (far l) after a swearing-in at State House.
THE Supreme Court will today deliver judgment on whether a tribunal should be constituted to investigate the conduct of one Supreme Court judge and two High Court judges.
The matter concerns the alleged misconduct of Supreme Court judge Phillip Musonda and two High Court judges, Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga.
The judgment has dragged for over 10 months after High Court judge Fulgence Chisanga granted the trio leave to commence judicial proceedings which also operated as a stay.
But the State appealed to the Supreme against Judge Chisanga’s decision.
Today the Supreme Court bench will decide whether President Michael Sata’s decision to suspend the trio and appoint a tribunal to be chaired by Malawian Judge Lovemore Chikopa should commence or not.
In an event that the court decides to dismiss judge Chisanga’s ruling to stay the proceedings then, the main matter concerning the judicial review would start and at the same time, the tribunal sitting would also start.
If the High Court’s ruling to stay the proceedings is upheld, then the applicants would continue working while the judicial review granted earlier would commence in the High Court before Justice Chisanga.
