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Former Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga says the PF government should provide a clear breakdown of the 195,744 jobs created since assuming office in 2011.
“I have just heard of the figures they are saying they have created thousands of jobs but one would do well to give a breakdown of the jobs and which sectors those jobs have come from,” Dr. Fundanga said.
On Wednesday, President Michael Sata through his Spokesman George Chellah revealed that his government has so far created close to 200,000.
President Sata said about 9, 716 jobs have been created in the central Government while the local Government has absorbed 5, 257 people.
He said the private sector accounted for 24, 098 with 5, 510 being actualised through the Zambia Development Agency in the period 2011 to 2012 pledged investments.
But Dr. Fundanga said job creation is a major challenge facing the country today and that increased focus on value addition is the only way that Zambia would create the much needed jobs.
“We should be focusing on value addition to raw products and we are not taking about high tech machinery here. Just the use of simple technology to improving product quality would go a long way, for example, women producing sweet potatoes or mangos should be taught on how they can preserve and extend the life of those products and seek international export markets for those organic foods.”
He said governments world over are struggling with the issue of unemployment and stated that the private sector should take the lead in creating sustainable employment for citizens.
Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa says he has a good idea of what to expect from Zanaco on Saturday.
Zanaco hosts Pirates on Sunday in a CAF Champions League first round, first leg game at Nkoloma Stadium.
De Sa said upon arrival in Lusaka that he was aware that Zanaco would not be easy like Comoros side Djabal whom Pirates beat 9-0 on aggregate in the preliminary round.
“We had an opportunity to have a little look at them but not too much,” De Sa said.
Pirates scouts were sent out to watch Zanaco in Swaziland a fortnight ago where the side played out to a scoreless draw against Mbabane Swallows to advance to the first round 3-2 on aggregate.
“But we have got an idea but obviously at home in Zambia they must be different from what we saw,” De Sa said.
“At least we are not totally blind like we were in the first round against a team from Comoros but we know that they are a difficult team champions of Zambia cannot be easy.”
Meanwhile, Pirates have arrived without key defender and Bafana-Bafana 2013 Africa Cup hero Siyabonga Sangweni who is injured.
“He an important player he is not able to be here otherwise he would be here but through injury he is not here,” De Sa said.
Voting has closed in the re-scheduled Livingstone central parliamentary by-elections.
Polls opened this morning on a peaceful note but with poor voter turnout.
Counting of ballots is now underway with results expected to start trickling in after 19:00hours.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia postponed the Livingstone by elections which were initially sheduled to take place on 28th February, 2013 due to political violence in the area.
Four political parties are participating in the elections with the ruling Patriotic Front fielding in Evans Lawrence, Regina Musokotwane standing on the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket, Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD’s) Fred Siasuntwe and United National Independence Party (UNIP’s) Green Mwanangombe.
Livingstone Central constituency has 67, 732 registered voters, 61 polling stations, 17 wards and 101 voting streams.
Former President Rupiah Banda’s Lawyers have this afternoon filed a case with the Lusaka High Court preventing the parliament from discussion the lifting of their client’s immunity.
In a press release made to the media today , the lawyers argued that attempting to remove former President Banda’s immunity in the absence of any evidence, case, let alone any specific allegations of any wrongdoing, the PF government is attempting to subvert rule of law.
“Under normal constitutional precedent, the issue should now be tabled and not discussed tomorrow. Whether or not the Patriotic Front continues this unlawful process tomorrow or awaits the court order will speak volumes about their commitment to rule of law,” said the statement.
The lawyers argued that the PF government is trying to start with the conviction verdict and then work backwards to gather evidence.
“One cannot simply begin with the verdict and go backwards toward the case, evidence, and accusation, you have to do it the other way around,” read the statement
“Former President Banda’s legal team intends to aggressively pursue all legal avenues to halt these false allegations and expose the unlawful conduct of the PF before the international community,” concluded the statement.
There has been media reports that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party will be tabling a motion before parliament tomorrow requesting the removal of immunity of former President Rupiah Banda.
The long anticipated motion to remove former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity from prosecution will be moved by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba.
The motion will state; “That interms of Article 43 (3) of the Constitution of Zambia, this House do resolve that Mr Rupiah Banda be amenable to criminal jurisdiction of any Court, in respect of any act committed by him”.
Once stripped off his immunity, Mr Banda would be answerable to investigative wings he recently snubbed when he was summoned by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to appear for questioning over alleged corrupt activities during his three year term in office.
After Parliament adjourned sessions today, MMD Members of Parliament led by party vice president for administration, Brian Chituwo told the press that his members were ready to debate the matter.
Dr Chituwo was not specific on the route that his party would take during debates but only stated that the matter was of grave importance and should not be trivialised.
“We are ready to debate this issue in Parliament tomorrow and make our position,” Dr Chituwo said.
He said the motion had nothing to do with Mr Banda but the office he held, “what value do we have for this office. More should have been done before bringing it to the House”.
Dr Chituwo was flanked by MMD chief whip, Geoffrey Lungwangwa, party national secretary, Kapembwa Simbao, and national chairperson, Kabinga Pande.
Below is the current composition of Parliament and 105 votes or two-thirds is required to secure the lifting of the Former president’s immunity.
66 MPs Patriotic Front (PF) 49 MPs Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) 29 MPs United Party for National Development (UPND) 2 MPs INDEPENDENT (IND.) 1 MP Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) 1 MP Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) 8 MPs Nominated
Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba shaking hands with Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi (r) while AVIC site Manager Liu Zhenjie shows directions during the visits of the bridge on Mongu-Kalabo road
2.
Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi helping to dress Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba with the life jacket during the visits of the bridges on Mongu –Kalabo Road
3.
Side view of the new erected bridge pillars which are 30 meters underground on Mongu-Kalabo road
4.
Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba third from right touring the temporal bridge which was put up by AVIC on the Zambezi River during his visit to the bridge on Mongu –Kalabo Road
5.
Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba speaking to Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi during his visit to the temporal bridge on the Zambezi River along Mongu –Kalabo Road
6.
Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi and Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba inspecting temporal bridge at the Zambezi River along Mongu –Kalabo Road
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Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba inspecting temporal bridge on the Zambezi River linking Mongu and Kalabo Road
8.
Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba coming out the stone mixing control room when he toured the AVIC bridge department at their camp site on the Mongu–Kalabo Road
9.
Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba being shown the stone mixing machine site when he toured the AVIC bridge department at their comp site of Mongu–Kalabo Road
10.
Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi speaking to Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba (c) and Mongu District Commissioner Maurice Litula during the inspection of AVIC bridge department at their camp site Mongu–Kalabo Road
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Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi speaking to Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba (c) and Mongu District Commissioner Maurice Litula during the inspection of AVIC bridge department at their camp site Mongu–Kalabo Road
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Workers at AVIC bridge department busy at work
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Workers at AVIC bridge department busy at work on the bridge linking Mongu and Kalabo
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Side view of the newly erected bridge linking Mongu and Kalabo
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Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba and entourage visit the test lab during the tour of the AVIC bridge department at their camp site on the Mongu–Kalabo Road
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(Mongu-Kalabo Road) Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba third from (r) looking carefully at how they mix the cement and stones during his tour of the AVIC bridge department at their camp site on the Mongu–Kalabo
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(Mongu-Kalabo Road) Workers at AVIC bridge department
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Rankin Resident Engineer Ramesh Suryawanshi talks to Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba during his tour of the AVIC bridge department at their camp site of Mongu–Kalabo
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says his party is anxiously waiting for the Commonwealth report on the investigations they recently carried out in Zambia over the alleged abuses of human rights by the Patriotic Front government.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, Mr. Hichilema said people should not worry about sanctions because sanctions are imposed on specific individuals at the center of human rights abuses and the disregard of the rule of law.
Mr. Hichilema said some individuals are trying to make people fearful by suggesting that the opposition is asking for sanctions by petitioning the Commonwealth to intervene in the purported atrocities in Zambia.
The UPND leader has further dispelled assertions by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba who was recently quoted in some sections of the media as having said the commonwealth envoys that came to Zambia to carry out an investigation found nothing relating to human rights abuses.
He said the Commonwealth delegates have not yet compiled a report on their findings adding that the PF want to create an impression that they are innocent.
Mr. Hichilema added that Zambians must therefore wait for the Commonwealth to compile their report.
Last month Zambia’s opposition leaders called for a suspension of Zambia from the Commonwealth, accusing President Michael Sata of stifling democracy.
The leaders of several opposition parties and civil society groups gathered in Johannesburg to make the call, claiming it was now impossible for them to operate normally in Zambia.
They called “for the provisional suspension of Zambia from the Commonwealth pending investigation” into rights abuses.
Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Fiji have previously been expelled from the 54-nation bloc.
Standard Bank says the Kwacha fell to a one-week low against the United States dollar on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, closing 20 points weaker on the inter-bank at KR5.370 (K5,370) and KR5.390 (K5,390) for bid and offer respectively.
This is according to the bank’s daily brief update for March 14, 2013.
Meanwhile, on the international market, the South Africa Rand extended losses against the US dollar on Wednesday, weakening as much as one (1) per cent to a new four year low as weak domestic retail sales data highlighted an economy under stress.
“London copper slipped by 0.18 percent to $7,771 a tonne by 0337 on Thursday under the pressure from a stronger dollar after United States (US) retail data underlined recovery, while Chinese consumers stay on the sideline when it pulled back from two-week highs,” the bank states.
In the previous trading session on Monday, the Kwacha held steady against the dollar and was still range bound trading between 5.300 and 5.400. The Inter-bank closed at 5.350 to 5.370.
A graduate from the Copperbelt University whose secondary school education was sponsored by former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa has appealed to the government and other well-wishers to consider sponsoring vulnerable children who have the potential to excel.
Mable Mulilo of Jim compound said that vulnerable youths have a potential to contribute to national development once they receive the support from government and other well wishers.She was speaking in a walk in interview with ZANIS in Chipata today.
Mulilo stated that she was privileged to have been sponsored by former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa who sponsored ten youths from St Teresa Secondary School in Kasama Northern Province from grade eight to twelve.She said that the former first lady’s sponsorship enabled her go to Copperbelt University which she said would not have been possible as she had been a vulnerable child.
She advised the youth not succumb to peer pressure but work hard to better their living conditions by obtaining best results in education.
She has since appealed to Forum for Women Educationists in Zambia (FAWEZA) to establish their organization in rural schools to assist young girls overcome peer pressure.
She stated that there was need to encourage the formation of clubs in schools under FAWEZA which she believed was helpful to her to complete her education.
[ZANIS]
Government has been advised to re-think its decision to bar foreigners from carrying out human resource functions as it will be seen as an act of xenophobia.
A senior Zambian citizen Elijah Ngwale said the pronouncements being made by ministers are giving an impression that cabinet does not meet regularly.
Commenting on the directive by Labor and Social Services minister Fackson Shamenda that no foreigners should carry out human resources functions, Mr.Ngwale said such a pronouncement is supposed to be backed by policy as it risks being seen as an act of xenophobia.
Mr. Ngwale said what is worrying is that citizens are made to wonder whether cabinet meets regularly because ministers and even deputy minister who do not even attend cabinet meetings make serious pronouncements.
Speaking to QFM,Mr. Ngwale has since appealed to government not to govern by pronouncements but by policies stating that it is policies that must be announced after being agreed upon by cabinet.
Voting in the rescheduled Livingstone parliamentary by-election has opened on a low note.
A check by ZANIS this morning at Mujala polling station in Dambwa North found a handful of people preparing to cast their votes.
Presiding Officer at the Polling Station Kanyimba Millius said only four people had cast their votes by 06:10 hours.
Clement Hibeenzu who queued up as early as 05:00 hours was the first person to cast his vote at 06:01 hours.
And at Dambwa North Community Centre, 30 people had voted by 06:50 hours in the two streams at the polling station while 31 people had cast their votes at Old Boma Polling Station by 07:15 hours.
At Damwa site and service 14 people had voted, while at Bomb site polling station 30 people had voted between 06:00 hours and 06: 25 hours.
Meanwhile, a check by ZANIS at Rainbow Africa, Old Kazungula Boma and Libala polling station between 07:00 hours and 07: 20 found no
queues.
Presiding Officer at Rainbow Africa Julia Mushota said at least 40 people had voted by 07:10 hours .
She however expressed hope that more people will trickle in as the day progresses.
At Maramba polling station 23 people had voted by 07:03 hours and at Mbita more than 50 had voted with short queues of people waiting to
cast their vote.
The Livingstone Parliamentary By-elections is being contested by UNIP’S Green Mwanagombe, UPND’S Regina Musokotwane, PF’s Lawrence
Evans and MMD’s Fred Siasuntwe.
The Seat fell vacant following the resignation of Reverend Howard Sikwela who later joined the ruling Patriotic Front.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ postponed the by-election from last month on 28 February following political violence that erupted during campaigns which left a PF member dead.
Warning: Article contains disturbing images for sensitive viewers
Police seal off the accident scene from members of the public while some people help remove dressed chickens from the container
Two pedestrians yesterday died on the spot when a truck en-route to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) flipped on to them at Wusakile round about in Kitwe.
The truck, which had a refrigerated container fell on the two victims after its lost control around 06:00 hours.The bodies which were trapped under the truck were only retrieved after four hours by the fire brigade.
The victims were believed to have been on their way to work.Their bodies are lying at Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) mortuary.
Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo identified the driver of the truck as Jumas Nangolo, 35, of house number 245 Luderite Area in Namibia.
“The particulars of the two victims are not known. They suffered fatal injuries and the accident happened when the truck driver failed to negotiate the Wusakile roundabout due to excessive speed.
“The truck fell on two people who were standing on the side of the road at about 06.00 hours,” Ms Tembo said.
Mr Nangolo, who was driving the Freightliner truck registration number N26830J and carrying about 28 tonnes of dressed chicken, sustained general body pains and was admitted at KCH for observation.
He was transporting the chickens from Walvis Bay in Namibia to Lubumbashi in DRC with the truck belonging to Corridor Logistics of Namibia.
It is reported that it was the first time Mr Nangolo was using that route to DRC.
An Eye witness at the scene, Justine Chilongwa said immediately after the truck overturned, scores of people mostly residents of Wusakile Township rushed to the container to loot boxes of dressed chickens before police officers arrived at the scene to contain the situation.
Mr Chilongwa said police fired a shot in the air to disperse curious on lookers who remained at the scene from 06.00 hours until 12.50 hours when the container was completely removed from the accident scene.
More than 30 police officers, some in riot gear, kept vigil of the over 100 onlookers until all the consignment from the damaged container were loaded into another waiting truck.
The onlookers got agitated when they saw the two trapped bodies being retrieved and loaded in the police vehicle.
Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga visited the accident scene and appealed to the police and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to ensure that roads were safe and that motorists complied with road traffic regulations.
Mr Kamanga said Government was investing substantially in the rail way transport to reduce pressure on roads because of heavy traffic and that this would prolong the lifespan of roads in the country.
Rescue officers retrieving the body of the accident victim which occurred at Wusakile RoundaboutRescue officers retrieving the body of the accident victim which occurred at Wusakile RoundaboutRescue officers retrieving the body of the accident victim which occurred at Wusakile RoundaboutPolice seal off the accident scene from members of the public while some people help remove dressed chickens from the containerThe freightliner truck whose refrigerated container fell on two pedestrians at Wusakile RoundaboutPolice seal off the accident scene from members of the public.
Lusaka City Mayor Daniel Chisenga has challenged media institutions in Zambia to focus on informing and educating the public on matters that enhance development.
Mr. Chisenga said media institutions should desist from giving platforms to members of society that incite violence and insult the President in the name of freedom of speech.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he toured Power FM Radio Station which is aiming at promoting culture, arts and tourism.
Mr. Chisenga said the opening of Power FM in Lusaka this year was an achievement to the local council which is seeking to increase information dissemination to the public.
He said government has demonstrated through this year’s youth day celebration theme “opportunity for youth through enterprise” that it was ready to support initiatives and provide an enabling environment for the media to operate.
He said the coming of Power FM on the media scene provides the Lusaka City Council with an opportunity to explore possibilities of partnering with the radio station in communicating to various stakeholders on development initiatives that the council is undertaking.
And Power FM Chief Executive Officer Kenny Tonga has commended the Patriotic Front government for granting his station a permit to transmit in Lusaka and surrounding areas.
Mr. Tonga said Power FM applied for a broadcast licence in 2009 but only managed to get it in February this year.
He said since the Patriotic Front government assumed office 17 months ago, youth entrepreneurial initiatives were being attended to faster than before adding that this was a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises.
He observed that Power FM was planning to provide a different dimension of media operation by creating a more professional avenue focused on developmental initiates for the tourism sector.
Mr. Tonga said his station has since created 20 direct jobs for the youths and was ready to work with government in ensuring that development messages reach the public in time.
He said with the hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) conference, the radio station would encourage domestic tourists to visit some of the spectacular sites of Zambia.
He observed that it was the duty of the media to raise the profile of Zambia’s tourism sector during and after the conference.
Mr. Tonga said tourism was one sector that had great potential to create jobs and improve the economy of the country if it was well exploited.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda has observed that enlightening workers on industrial relations matters was a key ingredient to improving the labour conditions in the country.
Mr. Shamenda said workers were the best labour inspectors in any workplace hence the need to educate them about labour issues.
He noted that high levels of ignorance on industrial relation issues among workers in the country were a source of concern to government.
He was speaking in Lusaka today when he handed over 12 vehicles to the Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) Provincial leaders.
Mr. Shamenda observed that many workers do not know their rights in the workplaces a situation he said resulted into them being taken advantage of by their employers.
He said this ignorance has also resulted in workers engaging into strikes even before negotiation procedures are exhausted and a dispute declared.
He said only when workers were enlightened on their rights will the labour industry in the country be enviable.
And Mr. Shamenda has directed trade unions in Zambia to ensure that 30 percent of their total earnings were directed towards programmes that directly benefit their members.
He said union members were entitled to 30 percent of the revenue collected from their contributions adding that government will ensure that all unions comply with this policy.
Mr. Shamenda commended ZNUT for the initiative of acquiring vehicles for its leaders and urged the union provincial leaders to put them to good use.
Meanwhile, ZNUT president, Henry Kapendwa said the vehicles were meant to provide quality service delivery in all provinces.
Mr. Kapendwa explained that the vehicles, which will be dispatched to all provinces in Zambia, will enable union leaders to reach out to all ZNUT members in far places.
