Zambia’s Group D lead has been cut from three to one point after Ghana’s empatic win over Sudan today.
Ghana beat Sudan 4-0 and took a 2-0 first half lead through Asamoah Gyan and Mubarak Wakaso in the 19th and 38th minutes respectively.
Abdul Waris made it 3-0 on 79 minutes and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu sealed Ghana’s key home win in the 84th minute.
Ghana are now on six points, one less than Zambia who drew 1-1 away in Lesotho.
Veteran striker Musonda Mweuke scored a solitary goal as visiting Kabwe Warriors stunned Power Dynamos 1-0 in Kitwe.
This was in a FAZ Super Division Week Two match played on Sunday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Mweuke scored the lone goal deep into the first half of stoppage time to help promoted Warriors earn their first three points in the two-game old season.
From the first minute it was inevitable that Power were missing midfielders Mulenga Mukuka and Kennedy Mudenda who where in Lesotho on national duty.
Warriors midfielder Siloni Jere dominated in the mid of the pack and outclassed his rival Christopher “Waddle” Mulenga who replaced Mukuka in the Power squad.
Warriors have now recovered from their week one home defeat to Zesco United.
Promoted Kalulushi Modern Stars maintained their lead at the top of the FAZ Super Division after coming from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Lime Hotspurs in Sunday’s Week Two match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Lime made a false start when striker Tapson Kaseba gave them a 27th minute lead after beating the offside trap erected by the Kalulushi backline led skipper Edmond Kabosha.
Ex-Zambia Under-23 and Nkana winger William Chinse changed the complexion of the game with two quick goals just after the half time break.
Chinse scored a 47th minute penalty awarded by referee Milton Mweemba after Lime defender Rodgers Kamwandi handled in the box.
He completed his brace five minutes later with a solo effort after beating two defenders on the right flank before lobbing Lime keeper Fred Mwansa.
Kalulushi, who have six points, have maintained a good start to the new campaign following their 2-0 win over Konkola Mine Police in a week one fixture away in Chililabombwe.
10-man Zambia failed to hold on 1-0 lead in Maseru today only to finish 1-1 with Lesotho in a 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier.
Zambia were reduced to 10-men after goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was sent off in the 53rd minute.
Mweene suicidal tackle on Mojela Letsie saved Zambia’s blushes coming after Stopilla Sunzu poor back-pass was picked out by the Lesotho striker.
Mweene’s departure saw Fwayo Tembo scarified for Joshua Titima.
The goalkeepers sent-off didn’t dampen Zambia’s morale and Collins Mbesuma who was on-fire throughout the game hit the post with a header off Isaac Chansa corner in the 65th minute.
Mbeusma made no mistake the second time in the 75th minute again from a Chansa corner to thunder home a header 1-0.
His goal made up for his 12th minute clear goal that was mysteriously disallowed by referee Diehiou Malang when the Zambia striker clearly poked in the ball under the challenge from Moitheri Ntobo and not the reverse.
However, Zambia’s hopes of leaving Maseru with the three points were dashed when Litsepe Marabe sealed the draw in the 88th minute.
Marabe dragged Sunzu and Hichani Himonde to one side before side stepping the defence to whip in a volley past Titima.
The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has called on consumers to be wary of products that do not carry the quality mark certification log.
ZABS Public Relations officer Lee Hamuunji said the market has been saturated with products not bearing the ZABS quality mark certification log hence posing a threat to unsuspecting consumers.
Mr Hamunnji explained that products bearing the quality mark are safe for consumption as they are certified by ZABS.
He told Zambian News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview that ZABS is phasing out the old quality mark log with a new one that will be more visible to the consumers.
He stated that ZABS has since embarked on an awareness programme aimed at sensitizing the general public on the new quality mark certification product log.
Mr Hamunnji appealed to consumers to be on the look out for the new quality mark log on products .
Meanwhile, Mr Hamunnji has urged manufactures to ensure that their products are certified by ZABS.
He said manufacturing industries should take advantage of the quality mark and use it as a marketing edge.
Mr Hamunnji stressed that products carrying the quality mark log stand a greater chance of penetrating the international market as they would have been certified by ZABS.
ZANIS
Accountant General Dick Chela has called for discipline among public accounting officers whom he has warned against theft of funds and corruption.
Mr. Chela said in Kabwe today that his office will not take kindly to criminal activities and negative attitudes towards work among the officers who he also urged to give sound financial advice to controlling officers.
Mr Chela urged the officers to uphold good values of integrity, honest, ethical, commitment to work and hardworking adding that they should be in the first line of defence in the fight against corruption, fraud and other vices .
He said public service accounting officers are expected to bring greater oversight and supervisory roles into the financial system.
The accountant general said this when he addressed public service accountants drawn from both district and provincial offices of the central province in Kabwe today.
“As public accounting officers, you are further required to be ethical and exercise the most efficient and prudent course of action during the discharge of your duties. Embrace principles of control and feedback as integral parts of financial management,” he said.
Mr. Chela said he had no doubt that public accounting officers could inspire back public confidence in the government sector and push forward the development agenda for the good of the nation.
He said government has articulated its long term development objectives in the national vision 2030 which shall be operationalized through the implementation of various policy documents including the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) 2011-2015.
Mr. Chela added further that government has also embarked on public financial management (PFM) reforms aimed at improving both reporting and utilization of public resources and thereby creating value by providing quality services to the Zambian citizens.
He cited some of the critical areas where public spending is being focused on in the SNDP as infrastructure development in the transport, communication and energy sectors.
Others are rural development by way of investments in feeder roads, tourist access roads and human development by increasing the quality of human capital as this was key to the economic development process.
Mr. Chela noted therefore that prudent management of financial resources was key to delivering better public services such as implementation of the integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) programme, adoption of international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) and implementation of salaries direct debit and credit clearance (DDACC) system.
He said to achieve this, public service accounting officers are required to operate within the pronouncements of the public finance Act, 2004, and the financial regulations of 2006 among other pieces of financial regulation.
ZANIS
Namibian High Commissioner to Zambia Salomon Witbooi has urged Zambians to support efforts government is making to develop the country.
Mr. Witbooi stated that meaningful development can only be attained in the country if citizens take part in projects that government has embarked on.
The Namibian High Commissioner said in an interview with ZANIS that it is imperative that the people support government’s programmes for the betterment of the entire citizenry.
He said nations that have developed are those whose citizens have participated fully in government programmes and projects meant to uplift people’s living standards.
Mr. Witbooi said it does not augur well for citizens to sabotage government programmes for the sake of political expediency saying there is need for people in the country to work together for the good of the nation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Witbooi has called for the operationalization of bilateral agreements that have being entered into by Zambia and Namibia in order to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Zambia and Namibia recently signed the joint commission of cooperation in areas including youth and sport, and exchange of prisoners among others.
He said the implementation of these agreements will be beneficial to both the people of Zambia and Namibia.
The Namibian High Commissioner also bemoaned the low trade currently taking place between Zambia and Namibia.
Mr. Witbooi however acknowledged that cross border trade between the two countries was on the increase.
He said the cordial relations that have existed between Zambia and Namibia need to be enhanced.
ZANIS
A 23 year old man of Rufunsa district has committed suicide after beating his 16 year old wife to death.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela identified the deceased as George Phiri of Rufunsa district who murdered Margret Kasonkomona after a domestic dispute.
Ms Kanjela disclosed that Phiri committed suicide by hanging himself with a rope a few meters away from the scene of the crime.
She said in press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the incident occurred on Friday March 22 around 22:00 hours in Rufunsa.
Ms Kanjela said the bodies of the two are lying in Chongwe district hospital awaiting post mortem.
And a 16 year old grade 11 pupil of Mukuba High School in Kitwe on the copperbelt died after drowning in the Mindolo dam after the boat he was paddling capsized.
Ms Kanjela identified the victim as Isaac Chisenga, of Flat 12, Mindolo area, in Kitwe who drowned yesterday on March 23 around 11:40 hours.
Ms Kanjela said the body of the victim was retrieved and is lying in Wusakile Mine Hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, the Police Spokesperson has also revealed that Police in Lusaka have apprehended three men in connection with the death of a 40 year old man of Chilenje South.
She said the trio have been nabbed in connection with the murder of Lewis Botha Tom of house number 16 Mwapila road Chilenje South who was reported to have been stabbed to death.
Police say the victim was stabbed in the stomach and chest yesterday around 23:30 hours in an incident that happened at his house.
Ms Kanjela said the three suspects have been picked up to help with investigations, adding that the body of the deceased is lying in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary awaiting post mortem.
ZANIS
Over 200 people have been screened at Libala Seventh Day Adventist Church for different eye conditions.
A spot check by Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) today found long queues of people waiting to be screened.
Lusaka Urban Eye Care Project Coordinator, Victor Mudaala who is also Cataract Surgeon said the church decided to partner with Adventists Men Organization (AMO) so as to bring the eye services closer to the community.
Mr Mudaala observed that some people are not aware as to where they can access eye care services hence shun going for treatment.
He further stated that the cost associated with eye treatment is another factor hindering some patients from accessing treatment.
Mr Mudaala said the screening is open to all members of the general public adding that patients who need reading glass are being given free of charge.
And AMO leader George Sibanyama said the group decided to partner with the Lusaka Urban Eye Care following numerous requests from the community for eye care services.
He explained that the eye care initiative is also being used for evangelism as patients are being given christian literature after under-going screening.
Mr Sibanyama expressed satisfaction with the number of people who showed up for the exercise.
Meanwhile, one of the patients talked to by ZANIS Mwachikwasha Tembo thanked the Seventh Day Church for bringing the eye care services closer to the people.
Mr Tembo said if it was not for the church he would not have managed to purchase reading glasses as he was given for free.
ZANIS/
Zambia Civil Society Scaling Nutrition Coordinator Chilfuya William has implored government to engage the private sector in establishing small milling companies in districts throughout the country.
Mr Chilufya explained that establishing small milling companies in districts will greatly assist in reducing costs associated in transporting maize grain to millers along the line of railway.
He said transportation costs are contributing to high prices of mealie meal adding that prices of mealie meal can only be reduced further if only government encouraged the setting up of milling companies in districts.
Mr Chilufya stressed that the challenge is with government to ensure that areas that grow abundant maize are given attention by establishing small milling companies so as to cushion high mealie meal prices and shortages.
He said failure to put up small milling companies in districts it will be very difficult for government to control the prices of the commodity.
Mr Chilufya explained to ZANIS that moving maize grain from Chipata to Lusaka for milling then transporting it back to Chipata attracts a higher cost which is passed to the consumer.
He observed that very few families will be able to afford a decent meal if prices continue sky rocketing.
Mr Chilufya said with sky rocketing mealie meal prices, it will be difficult for government to scale up nutrition programmes as very few families will be able to put food on their table.
He insisted that high prices of mealie meal will delay scaling up programmes aimed at alleviating malnutrition.
Mr Chilufya said more effort is required to reducing the malnutrition percentage which currently stands at 45 percent.
Meanwhile Mr Chilufya has praised government for committing itself to commerce distributing 2013 to 2014 farming inputs in September this year.
He said such a commitment by government is welcome as it will help farmers to grow adequate food on time.
Mr Chilufya recalled that the delay in distributing farming inputs in the last farming season will negatively affect rural families.
ZANIS
A huge consignment of mealie meal is marooned in about 20 shops on the Zambian side at Kasumbalesa border post as shop owners have locked and abandoned their premises following intensified Police patrols in Chililabombwe aimed at curbing smuggling.
Chiliabombwe District Commissioner Stuart Chitumbo has since appealed to the shop owners to avail themselves as they would only be allowed to sell their consignments at the government recommended retail prices in designated trading areas within Chililabombwe.
Mr Chitumbo who has been monitoring the mealie meal situation in the border town told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that the resolve by the Copperbelt Police Command to deploy over 100 senior officers to Chililabombwe had paid dividends in the fight against smuggling of the commodity.
He said some bicycles already loaded with mealie meal bags and believed to belong to Congolese nationals have also been spotted in some shops while the usually busy Kasumbalesa trading area is relatively calm as foreigners who smuggle mealie meal on bicycles using bush paths are no longer loitering around the premises as previously.
He said the marooned mealie meal might go to waste if the owners of the shops don’t show up as the law enforcement officers would continue to keep vigil of the premises to ensure the consignment was not smuggled.
“The mealie meal marooned in the shops in Kasumbalesa could be well over 20 000 bags, if well counted. If the owners of the shops show up, officers will provide escort to ensure the mealie meal is transported and sold within Chililabombwe at government recommended prices,” he said.
Recently, the district administration held a stakeholders meeting to chart a way forward following the unavailability and hiked prices of mealie meal in the district at which local traders associated the high prices of the commodity to the transportation costs from milling companies.
Despite the seemingly availability of mealie meal in Chililabombwe, most outlets are still selling their consignments above the government recommended KR 50 with prices ranging from KR 55 to KR 75.
ZANIS
A small scale farmer of Shafilundu in Solwezi has been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for cultivating 3.2 tons of cannabis.
Drug enforcement commission public relations officer Samuel Silomba confirmed the arrest in an interview with ZANIS in Solwezi today.
Mr Silomba said Ignatius Chimbwama aged 34 was arrested during an operation conducted by the officers in Solwezi.
And Mr Silomba also disclosed that the commission has arrested more than 90 people countrywide for cultivating and trafficking in various quantities of cannabis weighing over five tones.
He said all the suspects will appear in court soon.
ZANIS
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has said that his party is ready for dialogue provided that the Patriotic Front respects human rights and the rule of law.
And Mr. Hichilema has asked the Human Rights Commission to be proactive and ensure that meaningful dialogue in the country takes place.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, Mr. Hichilema said that dialogue is the only way to resolve pending issues in the country’s governance system.
The UPND leader has however stated the much anticipated dialogue cannot take place if the ruling party which is at the center of human rights abuses is not willing to dialogue with concerned Zambians.
Mr. Hichilema said that the ongoing problems in the country will not be resolved through suppressing divergent views or insulting those with brilliant ideas.
He said that government must realize that fostering development is a responsibility of every Zambian regardless of political affiliation.
QFM
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.”
(Psalm 78:53, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Nothing can stop the force of mighty rushing water. Three or four feet of water can pick up a car that weighs thousands of pounds and move it all around. You’ve probably seen news reports where whole houses are being swept away during a huge flood or cities in a tidal wave.
In the same way, you may have obstacles that look insurmountable; dreams that look unattainable, but let me encourage you: when God releases a flood of His power, nothing will be able to stop you. That sickness may look big, but when God releases a flood of healing, it doesn’t stand a chance. Your opposition may be stronger, better financed and better equipped; but when God opens up the floodgates, they’ll be no match for you.
You may not have the connections or resources you need, but when God releases a flood of favor, people will come out of the woodwork to help you out. Good breaks, opportunity, the right people will search you out. You need to get ready not for a trickle, not a stream, not a river, but a flood of God’s favor, a tidal wave of God’s goodness, a tsunami of His increase is coming your way!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your mighty power at work in my life. I believe that Your floodgates are open, and a flood of Your goodness is wiping out my enemies and clearing the way for victory in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
15 manufacturers of the once famous liquor sachets commonly known as Tujilijili are each demanding more than US $500 000 from government. compensation
This follows last week’s decision by the Lusaka High Court to uphold former Minister of Local Government and Housing, Professor Nkandu Luo’s decision to ban the highly potent spirits but awarded the liquor companies damages for loss.
The companies have assessed the damages and are claiming five hundred thousand US dollars each.
Delivering judgment, Justice Dominic Sichinga awarded the liquor companies damages for loss saying the minister breached the rules of natural justice when she arbitrarily revoked the applicants’ liquor licenses.
But Attorney- General, Mumba Malila, says the state is in the process of appealing against the judgment.
Mr. Malila said the state seeks to have the Supreme Court review Judge Sichinga’s judgment.
© Lusaka Times
