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Catherine Phiri successfully defended her WPBF bantamweight title after a second round stoppage of Leslie Domingo from the Philippines.
Domingo failed to show any of the fighting pride we have become accustomed to from the fighters famed fighters from her homeland like Pacquiao and Donaire.
The Pilipino retired in the second round from what looked like a sore right shoulder.
However, Phiri barely broke sweat in her most offensive performance to date over the two rounds in which she blitzed her opponent with some fierce shots.
What kept Domingo standing was her strong chin that soaked-in two telling uppercuts from the Zambian.
But it was the two jabs midway through the second round that drained Domingo to signal to her corner for time in what was the usually cautious Phiri’s easiest fight to date.
Phiri, 21 says she is set to take a scholastic sabbatical to finish her Grade Nine before taking on her next opponent.
The Zambia’s stretched her unbeaten run to six successive fights.
Zambia visit Lesotho in a 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier in their first competitive match since their 2013 Africa Cup flop.
Herve Renard’s team desperately needs a win in Maresu on Sunday to revive some much needed confidence after their embarrassing group stage exit in South Africa last January.
Renard’s side currently enjoys a three point lead in Group D on six points, ahead of second placed Ghana who host third placed Sudan in the late kick off on Sunday in Kumasi.
Lesotho are bottom of the group on one point after drawing 0-0 with Sudan on June 10, 2012 to pick up their first point in the qualifiers.
The hosts coach Leslie Notsi believes his team is ready to extend that unbeaten Group D record against another big gun this weekend.
“Our record at home has been great since we started preparation for FIFA tournaments we have beaten Burundi and Sao Tome and Principe and Sudan came we drew now Zambia and three points is coming our way,” Notsi said.
Sundays meeting will be Zambia and Lesotho’s ninth meeting that has seen the former winning only twice out of their five visits to Maseru and where they also suffered their first defeat on post-match penalties in the 2000 COSAFA Cup quarterfinals.
Sundays game has also come with a selection headache for Renard who has basically has only one experienced striker with competitive fitness heading into this game.
Emmanuel Mayuka has not played this year for Southampton, Chris Katongo has just returned for preseason in China leaving Collins Mbesuma as the only tangible striker heading into the match in Maseru.
But Renard has options therewith the recall of Romanian-based striker Fwayo Tembo who is enjoying a revival of fortunes after three forgettable seasons to-and-from Tunisia and Switzerland.
Fitness problems too abound in midfield where Isaac Chansa has not played since January.
Rainford Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala and Jonas Sakuwaha first real taste of competitive action was last Saturdays CAF Champions League with TP Mazembe in their 1-0 away win over Mochudi Centre Chiefs in Botswana.
Victory in Maseru is essential in the midst of those fitness concerns to keep Zambia top of Group D on nine points just an hour before Ghana’s game against Sudan.
Nkana maintained a bright start to the new FAZ Super Division campaign with a 3-2 win over Forest Rangers in Saturday’s away Week Two fixture in Ndola.
Albert Mwape opened the floodgates in a five goal thriller with a 16th minute goal before striker Reynold “Sate Sate” Kampamba converted a spot kick after he was brought down by Forest’s Jonas Phiri in the 24th minute.
Green Mumba pulled one back for Forest seconds before the half time break.
Nkana stretched their lead after 75 minutes with a headed goal by striker Festus Mbewe.
Second half substitute Spencer Sautu ensured that the early kickoff match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium ended in dramatic fashion when scored Forest’s second goal on the nick of full time.
Nkana have streatched their tally to six points after a round of two matches in the new campaign.
Siliya captured in Parliament flashing her middle finger
Youths from the opposition MMD have jumped to the defence of party Spokesperson Dora Siliya after she came under heavy criticism for flashing her middle finger in Parliament.
MMD Die Hard Youths National Coordinator Bowman Lusambo said there is nothing insulting about Ms. Siliya’s gesture.
“There is nothing in our culture that suggests that flashing a middle finger constitutes insulting gesture, I challenge all those condemning Madam Siliya to start which part of our culture talks about the middle finger,” Mr. Lusambo said.
He accused organisations and individuals criticizing Ms. Siliya of having dirty minds and attempting to politicize the incident.
“These people are merely dirty minded and they want to pollute the entire nation, we are not interested in these issues because Zambians want development and not these types of politics,” he said.
Mr. Lusambo added that the nation should instead be focusing on forcing Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini to resign for allegedly failing to uphold integrity in the conduct of his duties.
“We should be more concerned about removing the Speaker because we have a PF cadre for a Speaker.”
On Friday, Open Society Foundation Executive Director Sunday Chanda filed a petition to the Speaker to express our annoyance over the middle finger raised by Ms. Siliya.
“In view of Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia and the National Assembly powers and privileges Act, the Privileges, Absences and Support Services Committee deals with cases of erring members of the House.
The National Assembly standing orders of 2005, which deal with order in the House, standing order number 70, we petition the Honourable Speaker of the House to safeguard the dignity of the House. There must be no sacred cows,” the petition letter read in part.
“As an organization that believes in the integrity and sanctity of Parliament, we have resolved to petition the Speaker of the House, which even children saw in their homes and one that has left an indelible mark on what is and is not acceptable behaviour by Parliamentarians. Parliament has a duty to repair the colossal damage ‘the middle finger’ has caused.
Parliament, through the Speaker and the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services must sense the urgency of the now, to uphold the integrity of Parliament through acting decisively on the erring legislator.”
The letter continued, “This will send a message that the middle finger has never been and will never be an acceptable part of Zambia’s governance system. We wish to remind the Honourable Speaker that Ms. Siliya’s conduct was watched by Zambians of all ages, including very innocent children, potentially threatening to corrupt their morals with obscene gestures.”
The contractor engaged by Mopani Copper Mines to rehabilitate Shinde Stadium the home of ‘Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers has pledged to do a good job.
The first phase renovation of Shinde Stadium in Mufulira by Geolzef Construction begun last month.
In an interview, Geolzef site manager Charles Masumba said his firm would do a satisfactory job.
Masumba expressed happiness with the way rehabilitation works are progressing at Shinde.
“We are going to do a good job. We believe in quality,” he said.
“We want to do a good that will satisfy the community here in Mufulira,” Masumba stated
He added:”We are progressing well with works here.”
Phase one, involves the upward extension of the boundary fence, upgrading of the playing surface plus the improving of the water and sanitation system at the stadium.
Zesco United will wear black armbands and observe a minute of silence during todays Faz Super Division game against Nkwazi in memory of last months Chibimbo bus crash.
50 people died in the Post Bus crash that claimed mostly citizens of Ndola where the club is based.
“To commemorate the disaster and identify the club with the city’s community, the club will this Saturday observe a minute of silence and our players will wear black armed-band as a sign of respect for our departed supporters and members of our community,” stated zescounitedfc.com.
Meanwhile, the game will be the second in a Levy Mwanawasa Stadum doubleheader that will also see Forest Rangers host Nkana in the lunchtime kickoff.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION
23/03/2013
Konkola Blades-Napsa
Green Buffaloes-Konkola Mine Police
Roan United-Zanaco
Red Arrows-Nchanga Rangers
-Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola
13.00hrs
Forest Rangers-Nkana
15.00hrs
Zesco United-Nkwazi
24/03/2013
Arthur Davies Stadium, Kitwe
13.00hrs
Kalulushi Modern Stars-Lime Hotspurs
15.00hrs
Power Dynamos-Kabwe Warriors
Catherine Phiri and Leslie Domingo’s unbeaten records are on the line this evening when they clash in a WPBF Bantamweight Title fight in Lusaka.
Both title holder Phiri, 21 and her 18-year-old Philipino opponent are is unbeaten in their five professional fights.
Phiri, who has five-out-of-five wins, has a big test against a younger boxer who has stopped three of her opponents via knockouts despite the blemish of one draw.
Domingo’s trainer Delima Jeephel said he is confident his young boxers’ ‘0’ will remain intact in this 10-round bout at Government Complex in Lusaka in what will be the Pilipino boxers first fight outside her country.
“I don’t think so. From my stable she is one of my youngest and best boxers because of the training we have,” Jeephel said.
“Her sparring partners are all experience with at least 10 fights under them.
“We are a class above Africa and we have been training for almost three months.
“She also has been through the amateur ranks from regional to national too so we are very confident about or chances.”
This will also be Domingo’s first fight beyond six rounds in which she has won two first round knockouts and one in the third.
However, she comes to Zambia on the back of a career–first unanimous decision sixth round decision over her 19 year old compatriot Honey Mae Bermoy last January.
Meanwhile, Phiri, whose defensive style has served her well says she will stay faithful to her cautious approach.
Phiri added that she has also some with some lessons learnt from her grueling title winning 10-round contest against 38-year-old Canadian Natalie Forget.
“Last time it was difficult for me to fight 10 round because it was my first time go fight that distance. This time, I am ready,” Phiri said.
“It will be a big fight they are a lot of things to prove in Saturdays fight.
“She is aiming for a knockout I am ready for the 10 rounds and I am ready for her.”
Finance Minister Alexander ChikwandaFinance Minister Alexander Chikwanda
Government has registered a micro finance institution which will be charged with the responsibility of disbursing affordable credit to public service workers at a lending rate not exceeding 5 percent.
Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda disclosed this when he officially opened the National Servings and Credit Bank Chavuma Branch in Chavuma today.
Mr. Chikwanda explained that the public service micro finance institution which will be operational soon is meant to trigger a downward movement in interest rates.
He said the innovation is in response to some private micros finance institutions that have formed curtails to manipulate the cost of banking services and credits thereby making abnormal profits.
Mr. Chikwanda explained that access to financial services is a major driver to the economic development for any district.
He said the opening of Natsave Bank is a major development to Chavuma as it is the first banking service since the establishment of the district in 1997.
Mr. Chikwanda also revealed that government through the ministry of finance has released KR 150 million for various developmental projects in North-Western Province.
He named some of the projects to be undertaken as the completion of the Solwezi general hospital, upgrading of roads in Mwinilunga and Solwezi, construction of office blocks in Ikelenge and Chavuma among others.
And Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor Michael Gondwe stated that it was unfortunate that micro finance institutions have for a long period of time concentrated only along the line of rail.
Dr. Gondwe said the trend has disadvantaged many people living in rural areas as it is hard for them to access financial services.
He urged micro finance institutions to open more branches in rural districts if financial inclusion is to be achieved
Meanwhile, NATSAVE Board chairperson Chiselembwe Ngandwe said the bank will remain a significant development catalyst in the district.
Mr. Ngandwe also disclosed that plans are underway to open more branches in rural districts countrywide in order to ensure that its mandate of taking developmental to rural areas is achieved.
A Boeing 737 similar to that being introduced by Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia has unveiled an unprecedented reduction on its flight fares in a move designed to provide more affordable air travel ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly (UNWTO).
The UNWTO will be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe in August this year.
Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs Captain Philip Lemba said the new package of fares is also aimed at encouraging passengers to plan ahead and book their flights earlier.
Capt. Lemba stated in a statement made available to ZANIS that the development has been made possible by Proflight’s impending move to introduce a 108-seater Boeing 737 aircraft that he said will reduce the airline’s operating costs on its trunk routes to Ndola and Livingstone.
He said passengers who book more than 14 days in advance can now fly from Lusaka to Ndola or Livingstone for just KR250, with similar savings across the board on Proflight’s other routes that include Chipata, Mansa, Kasama, Lower Zambezi and Solwezi.
He further stated that one-way fares from Lusaka to Chipata will be KR700, to Kasama KR1, 025, while Lusaka to Mansa has being pegged at KR855 to.
Fares from Kasama to Ndola will be KR650, KR555 from Ndola to Mansa, KR1, 025 from Ndola to Kasama via Lusaka, KR855 from Mansa to Ndola via Lusaka, KR630 from Ndola to Livingstone via Lusaka, KR670 from Ndola to Lower Zambezi via Lusaka, and KR720 from Solwezi to Livingstone via Lusaka.
He stated that fares include all charges except for the National Airport Corporation Limited (NACL) taxes which range from between K58 and K65 per flight.
Capt. Lemba said that with the reduced fares, Proflight can now offer travelers a journey that competes favourably with road travel on both time and price with flight times of close to an hour on most routes.
“We have listened to the concerns of passengers and regulators about the cost of airfares, and now, thanks to the introduction of the 737 aircraft, we are able to respond to those concerns and reduce costs,” explained Capt. Lemba.
Capt. Lemba has since urged people to support their local airline and ensure the carrier becomes a standard-bearer that the nation can be proud of.
Proflight Zambia’s decision to reduce fares comes in the wake of its plan to introduce a 108-seat Boeing 737 to its fleet, dramatically reducing the per-seat operating costs of its flights.
Capt. Lemba believes that with the airlines new aircraft it will be able to comfortably service the demands of the UNWTO event without the need for the country to bring in additional oversees carriers.
He cautioned that the Zambian domestic market is still very small, at around 110,000 passengers per year, compared with other countries such as Kenyan which has a domestic market of around 3 million passengers.
Capt. Lemba stated that Proflight’s current fleet of 29-seat and 18-seat turbo prop aircraft will still need to service most destinations adding that fares on these flights will not be reduced.
Patients admitted to Kabompo district hospital are eating one meal per day because of inadequate industrial cooking pots.
District hospital administrator, Nancy Mukosa confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview in Kabompo yesterday.
Ms Musoka said the other two electrical pots broke down several years ago and could not be repaired because spare parts are not locally available leaving the kitchen to operate on just one pot.
She however said that the hospital is awaiting the purchase of a new industrial pot by the l ministry of health.
Ms Musoka confirmed that at the moment only one pot is being used for cooking all the hospital meals at breakfast, lunch and supper.
Last month provincial permanent secretary Augustine Seyuba visited the hospital and said that government would look into the issue.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Panji Kaunda
Transport and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda has reiterated Government’s commitment to beefing up staff levels at Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) to bring sanity on the road.
Coonel Kaunda stated that road safety had been a challenge in the provinces due to poor staffing levels.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone at his office in Chipata today.
Mr Kaunda said that government would also compel all drivers to go for training at driving schools so that only qualified drivers could be allowed to drive on the road.
He stated that there was need for Passenger Service Vehicles (PSV) drivers to train for three months before they get licenses adding that all the provinces would have a training ground to test drivers.
Meanwhile, Mr Sichone expressed happiness with the measures taken by the Ministry of Transport and Communication aimed at bringing sanity on the roads.
Mr Sichone stated that there was need to seriously monitor the drivers especially PSV holders to go for proper training.
He stated that Chipata being a border town had put up measures to control the purchase of fuel from the local filling stations to avert unnecessary fuel shortages.
Meanwhile, Mr Sichone has appealed to the ministry of Transport and Communication to send a qualified Controller of government transport.
In response, Col Kaunda advised the Minister to request for qualified staff from the Ministry of Transport.
Lands and natural resources Minister Wylbur Simuusa has lifted the ban that was imposed on the 500 unit Kabitaka housing project in Solwezi.
The ban affected all construction activities at the site.
Mr Simuusa said yesterday that First Quantum Minerals Limited can go ahead with the construction of 500 housing units at Kabitaka central while the procedure of land acquisition is being formalised with relevant authorities.
Last month on February 14, Mr Simuusa directed that all construction activities at Kabitaka housing project must be discontinued because of illegalities that emerged concerning the manner in which FQML acquired land for the multi-million project.
Suspending the project, the minister cited dispute over boundary of the land under acquisition as well as misunderstanding on the resettlement and compensation of the local communities as part of the reasons for his action.
However, Mr Simuusa lifted the ban on the project during a meeting convened to resolve the impasse on Kabitaka saying the move is in the interest of the PF government to deliver development to the people.
But he said no development activities must be commenced on South and North Kabitaka until measures are put in place to protect the forest reserves and ensure boundaries of the land are properly demarcated.
The minister’s decision followed a submission to the meeting by First Quantum Mineral country general manager Kingsley Chinkuli that the mining firm would suffer various litigations from the companies they have sub contracted to undertake the development of Kabitaka.
And Mr Chinkuli later told ZANIS in an interview that the company was happy with the decision made during the meeting.
Earlier chief Kapijimpanga royal establishment representative Mwepu Wamfumu and sub chief Mbonge complained over First Quantum Minerals abrogating its promises on compensation and jobs for local people.
Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has issued a media statement warning former President Mr Rupiah Banda for the last time to desist from defending his case through the media by issuing disparaging statements against the ongoing investigative process.
Mr Sakeni said should Mr Banda continue with this practice, Government will be left with no choice but to make public his very embarrassing details of his wrongdoing which the investigators have uncovered.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia Ministry of Information ad Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON ACCUSATIONS BY FORMER PRESIDENT MR RUPIAH BANDA’S LAWYER ROBERT AMSTERDAM
It is disappointing that former President Mr Rupiah Banda has continued to issue unwarranted attacks against the Government through his lawyer Robert Amsterdam over the ongoing investigations for his alleged wrongdoing while in office.
It is very clear that Mr Banda has chosen to play politics on very serious allegations of wrongdoing that he is facing.
The statements he is issuing through his lawyer clearly demonstrate this fact.
As a responsible Government that respects the rule of law, we would like Mr Banda to receive adequate facilities through the established channels of the due process of the law in defending himself.
But Mr Banda wants to tell lies even on straight forward matters. He claims that the Joint Investigations Team (JIT) postponed his questioning to Friday to facilitate his arrest this weekend. However, we have established that it was actually Mr Banda’s lawyers who suggested Friday after the JIT informed him that the questioning would continue on Thursday.
We would like, therefore, to warn Mr Banda, for the last time, to desist from defending his case through the media by issuing disparaging statements against the ongoing investigative process.
Should Mr Banda continue with this practice, Government will be left with no choice but to make public his very embarrassing details of his wrongdoing which the investigators have uncovered.
We hope he will then not complain that he is being tried in the media.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
There is a story Bible about a man called Zacheus. Zacheus was an employee of the government of the day and worked at the colonial Tax office. The local people deemed anyone who worked for the government a traitor. Not only that, Zacheus was also corrupt and abused his office by getting more money from the citizenry than they were liable. As a result of his illegal activities he became very wealthy. One day, he heard the rumble of a crowd outside his office. He ran out to see what was going on but he couldn’t make out because the crowd was too big. He decided to take advantage of the height of a sycamore tree. He climbed it and saw the reason for the crowd. A popular Sage was passing through the city! Suddenly the Sage stopped under the sycamore tree and looking up, said, ‘Zacheus, come down. I am going to have dinner at your house today.’ Zacheus must have been used to hosting dignitaries, but this was going to be different. Excitedly, he got down and loved it to lead such a man to his house for dinner. While there, something changed in Zacheus and he decided to give away half of his wealth to the poor, and repay whomsoever he had defrauded four times over!
This essentially is the Law of Restitution. Imagine if Zacheus had simply been arrested and thrown into jail. It could have satisfied many who were injured by his corruption, but it would not have changed their financial status.
What I would like to advocate through this short article, is simply this. Unless a corrupt act or abuse of office directly harms a person’s life, it should be tried under civil jurisprudence rather than criminal. Why do I say so?
For primarily three reasons:
As long as cases are brought under criminal law, the burden of proof is on the State and to convict a person there must be enough evidence beyond reasonable doubt. This tends to be a very expensive and convoluted process. At the end of it all, the State may have got its man, but the people that suffered as a result of the corrupt practice are no better off. I am aware that there is the Forfeiture and seizure of proceeds of crime legal instrument by which the State can recover the stolen assets. But, the State cannot get to this point before conviction in the first. There are people who are advocating the lowering of the burden of proof in cases of corruption. I don’t think that is a good idea. We would end up with the kind of conundrum we had with un-bailable crime of motor vehicle theft.
Under civil litigation, one can be convicted purely on the balance of probabilities. If that is the case, they may not go to jail, but a fine may be imposed and all the property that they corruptly acquired may be retrieved.
Every person in public office essentially enters a contract with the public to which they owe service. When people abuse their office and are corrupt, they breach that contract. Therefore it can be shown easily that the officer, including the Head of State is under legal duty to act in a particular manner. If he failed to act in an expected manner and as a result of his action or inaction the public suffered loss, then he should be liable under Tort law.
In the case of the former President Dr FTJ Chiluba, the London High Court convicted him and others over the $48 million that was mis-appropriated. The Zambian Magistrate court could not convict him over theft of $500,000! There are many theories about Magistrate Judge Chinyama’s judgement. I am yet to see any clear reasoning against that judgement that the then DPP refused to appeal. So, we can all just speculate about who did what. The point is that a civil court easily convicted over a vast amount of money, but a criminal court didn’t over far much less. Sit back for a moment and imagine how much better off every Zambian would have been if it had all ended with the London High Court! I beg to move.
Former Republican Rupiah Banda has advised female boxing sensation Catherine Phiri to go for an outright victory in tomorrow’s defence of her World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) bantamweight belt against Leslie Domingo of the Philippines.
Mr. Banda says victory for Catherine would serve as a fitting appetiser for the Zambia national soccer team as they take on Lesotho in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in Maseru on Sunday.
He believes that judging from Catherine’s performance in her last international fight against Canada’s Nathalie Forget in October last year, the Zambian pugilist possesses enough skills to defend her title tomorrow.
ZANIS Sports reports that Mr. Banda said this in a statement released in Lusaka, today and signed by his Acting Deputy Administrative Secretary Kennedy Limwanya.
On the Chipolopolos, the former head of State has urged the squad to put behind the disappointment of their failure to defend the 2012 African Cup of Nations title by ensuring that they get a comfortable result in the away tie against Lesotho.
President Banda says despite the early exit from the 2013 Africa Cup, Zambia can still go all the way and qualify to her maiden World Cup appearance, adding that recent African football results have shown that anything was possible for any team that had a positive attitude.
The retired President is an ardent sports administrator and once served as Football Association of Zambia vice-president and was involved in the sports management team that oversaw Zambia’s golden era of professional boxing in the 1980s.
