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Government will invite experts from China to carry out investigations on what caused the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) helicopter to crash at City Airport in Lusaka on Tuesday.
A ZAF pilot, Misapa Mukupa died upon arrival at the University Teaching Hospital after he sustained serious injuries while his co-pilot Kenneth Chilala sustained minor injuries.
The accident happened when a crew returned from the Youth Day Celebrations where the three helicopters flew past the Freedom Statue.
Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba yesterday said government would invite experts from China who were the manufacturer of the aircraft to be part of the investigation team that has been instituted to investigate the cause of the accident.
Mr Mwamba said Zambians should be patient as the investigations would not be concluded within 24 hours but would take some time to be concluded.
“There is no development yet because as I said yesterday, we have instituted a body of inquiry into what caused crashing and results cannot be ready within 24 hours because we will need to bring in experts from China who are the manufacturer of that aircraft and so it will take some time,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba who on Tuesday announced the death of Major Mukupa said government was saddened with the death of the officer and has since sent messages of condolences to the bereaved family.
And speaker of the national assembly Patrick Matibini has asked vice president Guy Scott to issues a ministerial statement by Friday this week on the ZAF chopper which crashed at city airport killing the pilot.
This was after a point of order raised by UPND Monze central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu who wanted to know what led the ZAF chopper to crash.
In his ruling Dr Matibini ordered Dr Scott to issue a ministerial statement by Friday to clear the air on the crashed chopper.
The Kitwe High Court has sentenced a man of Kalulushi to three years imprisonment with hardlabour for causing the death of a suspected thief.
High Court Judge Isaac Chali sent to jail James Kasongo 28, of house number 653 chibuluma Township after convicting him of causing the death of Leonard Lakapu who residents accused of being a thief.
Kasongo was earlier charged with murder which was reduced to manslaughter. He pleaded guilty to the charge.
In sentencing him, Mr Justice Chali said he had considered the mitigation submitted by Kasongo’s Lawyer that he was the first offender.
He also considered that the accused did not waste the court’s time as he admitted the charge and that he committed the offence in order to protect himself so that the suspected thief could not beat him.
“I will treat you as a first offender who in principle deserves to be judged with leniency. You are a young person, who should be given a chance to reform,
“I did not find anything aggravating in this matter, hence I sentence you to three years starting from day of your arrest,” said the Judge.
Facts before the court were that on April 14 last year, the accused person was at his farm in Kalulushi when he saw someone lighting a torch in his orchard of oranges around 19:00 hours.
The accused went close and confronted the intruder who happened to be Mr. Lakapu (deceased). The deceased ran way and the accused realised that he could be a thief because he bolted.
Kasongo gave chase until he caught him, he then pushed the deceased to the ground, hitting his head on a stone and became unconscious.
Upon realising that the deceased had died, Kasongo dragged the body of the deceased and threw it in a nearby dam, screamed for help and told people that the deceased had drowned.
The court heard that on April 18 last year, a postmortem examination was conducted at Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) and the results indicated that the cause of the death was injuries and that no water was found in the lungs and stomach.
The accused was then apprehended and charged with one count for murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code 87, but the charge was reduced to a lesser charge of manslaughter contrary to section 199 of the Penal Code 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council NGOCC- Chairperson Beatrice Grillo has condemned the continued killing of women by their husbands in the nation.
Ms Grillo said it is sad that some husbands have continued taking the law into their own hands despite several appeals from the concerned stakeholders.
She told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that men should heed to the call by the head of state who has called an immediate stop to the vice.
She said Ministry of Justice should also speed up the enactment of the Gender Based Violence piece of registration as suggested by President Michael Sata recently.
She said even on the day of Women International Cerebration, some women were victims of the vice to the extent of losing their precious lives at the hands of their ruthless husbands who have no remorse.
Ms Grillo reiterated that stiffer punishment should be administered to those perpetrators of Gender based violence which she said has gone out of hand in the country.
Some few days ago, A 28 year old man of Chikoyi village in Chief Chipalo’s area in Luwingu district in the Northern province was arrested for murdering his wife after a dispute over Nshima.
Northern Province Police Commissioner Mary Chikwanda confirmed the development to ZANIS saying Bright Bwalya was arrested and charged with murder contrary to section 200 chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
And speaking to ZANIS in Lusaka, Ms Grillo has appealed to the people of Livinstone to vote peacefully in tomorrow’s by elections.
Ms Grillo said involving in political violence do not pay adding that cadres should learn to co-exist even during by-election because Zambians are one people.
Collins Mbesuma says he is looking forward to his first CAF club cup game against a Zambian club.
Mbseuma arrives on Thursday with Orlando Pirates ahead of Saturdays CAF Champions League first round, first leg game against Zanaco at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
“It feels good and yes it is my first time to play against a team from home,” Mbesuma said.
Meanwhile the visit will be only Pirates second trip to Zambia in their history.
Their last visit to Zambia was again in the same competition when they beat Mighty Mufulira Wanderers 2-1 on aggregate in the second round.
Education Minister Dr John Phiri says the Patriotic Front [PF] government will open a new University in each of the ten provinces in the country in order to absorb youths from secondary schools.
Dr Phiri said the Patriotic Front government will this week introduce the Higher Education and Teaching Council Board Bills in Parliament in order to regulate institutions offering education and provide a code of ethics for teachers.
Dr Phiri was speaking in Lundazi yesterday when he addressed Youths during the commemoration of the 2013 Youth Day celebrations whose theme was’’ Opportunity for the Youth Through Enterprise ’’ held at Lundazi Boarding Secondary School.
He revealed that MMD government followed a pyramidal system of education with more pupils at primary, few at secondary due to inadequate space and fewer students entering tertiary or universities levels.
Dr Phiri said the PF government has since started reversing the trend by focusing on constructing more colleges and universities so that more youths acquire skills and become entrepreneur citizens.
And Youth Representative Edward Banda a pupil from Lundazi Boarding Secondary School urged his fellow youths to refrain from indulging in vices such as sex and drug abuse because Youths are the future leaders of Zambia.
He however appealed to government to establish more youth trade schools that could help change the livelihood of youths by imparting skills and help them become responsible citizens, thereby reduce poverty and contribute to the national economy.
Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Communications Director Muhabi Lungu says the former ruling party will soon seek further legal action to enforce the court ruling to stop the Catherine Namugala lead faction from masquerading as MMD members.
Mr. Lungu told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today that the party will further take other legal actions and ensure that people destabilising the MMD are stopped from doing so.
He said the MMD is aware that despite Ms. Namugala leading the faction, she has already joined the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
He said Ms. Namugala should come out in the open and tell the people which party she belongs too adding that she is no longer a member of the MMD as she was earlier expelled from the party.
Mr. Lungu has since urged Ms. Namugala to stop creating unnecessary debates and statements in public adding that whatever she does will not profit the MMD in anyway.
He said the Zambia police should have stopped the masquerading youths from participating in the youth day celebrations adding that they were coming from a party that is not registered.
He said there is only one MMD and that the party had indicated earlier that it would not take part in the celebrations and communicated its reasons.
According to a press statement made available to ZANIS by MMD National youth Secretary Tobias Kafumukache, the MMD indicated that they were unable to participate because of the previous fracases that have occurred between their party and the Zambia police.
Mr. Kafumukache stated in his statement that to prevent any loss of life and violence, the MMD thought it was wise to stay away to maintain peace.
President Michael Sata has cautioned the new diplomats accredited to Zambia to refrain from going into provinces and asking opposition political parties about governance issues.
President Sata told the diplomats this morning that the new diplomats must visit his office or any other government ministry and ask about matters of governance because government institutions were ready to avail the information.
“Please don’t go in provinces and ask the opposition about governance if you want to know about governance. Come to my office or go to all the ministries they will let you know. You know under your terms of reference, you are very free and you have access to all of us,” he said.
Mr. Sata said he will not allow diplomats to go round provinces inquiring about governance issues adding that were the economy was slow you don’t expect to find good governance.
Meanwhile, Mr Sata has called on foreign diplomats accredited to Zambia to explore all areas in which their countries can invest other than in the mining sector.
President Sata told the diplomats that Zambia was endowed with plenty of natural resources hence the need to explore diverse areas of investment in the country.
Mr. Sata assured the envoys representing various countries that Zambia has abundant areas of investment in they can choose to invest so that the ordinary local people can benefit.
He said this at State House today when he received letters of credence from 14 ambassadors and High Commissioners representing various countries.
The President cited South Africa as one of the countries that has greatly invested in Zambia.
“What I appeal to you including African diplomats is that there is more to invest in Zambia. You can invest with only five people and you will find local people benefiting. When you are as diplomats, bring here what is lacking in Zambian and attract Zambians to come to your countries,” he said
He said his office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all other ministries were very open to diplomats to consult on issues of investment in the country.
Mr. Sata further implored the new diplomats to organize business delegations from their respective country to visit Zambia and meet the Zambian business community in bid to strengthen trade bilateral relationships.
The diplomats that presented credentials to President Sata today are from Cuba, Ireland, Kenya, South Africa, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Hungary, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Israel and Ethiopia.
The rest are Hellenic Republic of Greece, Kingdom of Belgium, Cyprus and Canada.
Injury has sidelined Zesco United goalkeeper and team captain Jacob Banda for eight weeks.
Banda sustained an ankle injury in training on Wednesday morning.
The ex-Zambia Under-20 keeper confirmed that he will be out of action for eight weeks on Wednesday afternoon.
“I twisted my ankle this morning during training and I am out for eight weeks,” Banda revealed on his facebookpage.
“My God your name be blessed in good and bad times.”
Banda’s understudy Brown Nyirenda is set to take up his role as Zesco face Kabwe Warriors in the FAZ Super Division Week One match away at Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe this Saturday.
President Michael Sata has reiterated his Government’s committment to creating an environment for sustainable employment and economic growth.The Head of State said the PF Government will continue to focus its efforts on growing the economy faster and make it more labour absorbing.This is according to a statement released to the media by George Chellah special assistant to the President on Press and Public relations
President Sata said preliminary estimates for 2012 are that the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.3% compared with 6.8% in 2011.
“Consistent with positive economic growth rates has been an improvement in real GDP per capita, which rose to an estimated US$1,500.0 in 2012 from US$1,463.0 the previous year,” President Sata said.
“As at end-December 2012 foreign reserves rose to US $3.215 Billion compared to US $2.322 Billion as at end-December 2011, while foreign investment pledged for 2012 was US$10.089 Billion.”
The President said though macro-economic stability and appreciable economic growth has been achieved over the recent past, the main task that still remains is that of meeting the basic needs of Zambians as poverty levels and unemployment still remains a challenge.
“We can confirm that since the PF Government assumed office approximately 195,744 jobs have been created as follows:
Central Government 9,716;
Local Government 5,257;
private sector 24,098;
5,510 jobs were actualised through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) 2011/2012 pledged investment
5,858 new jobs have been approved for recruitment in the newly created districts.
Parastatals 29,305
Arts 116,000
President Sata said the growth in GDP reflects the PF Government’s pro-growth policies and maintenance of macroeconomic stability.The President further said that his Government will continue to lower costs in the economy, especially as these costs contribute towards limiting employment growth as well as raising costs for poor households.
The Head of State has reiterated his Government’s committment to creating a better Zambia for all by supporting the initiative of the people in the robust economic transformation of the country.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has advised the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mutembo Nchito to ignore the recent Presidential directive to investigate the source of wealth of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema saying it is a nullity in law.
In a statement released to Qfm news, LAZ president James Banda said the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia guarantees independence to the office of the DPP.
Mr. Banda said the powers of the DPP are vested in him personally and to the exclusion of all other Persons or Authority.
He said the DPP is not subject to the control or direction of any Institution or Individual.
Mr. Banda further said the Jurisdiction of the DPP is also clearly defined in the Constitution, namely; to Commence, Continue or Discontinue Criminal Proceeding before the Courts of law.
The LAZ president has therefore stated that it is not for any person or authority to make any directions relating to the manner that the DPP shall exercise his constitutional authority.
He noted that the Republican President has no power whatsoever to give any direction or order to the DPP.
Mr. Banda explained that the Head of State’s direct involvement with the office of the DPP ends and must end on appointing the person to fill the said position which appointment is of course subject to Parliamentary Ratification.
He has therefore urged all political leaders and especially the Executive not to do any act which undermines the office of the DPP.
Mr. Banda said LAZ wishes to indicate that the independence of the Institutions or Offices created to foster the Administration of Justice and the Rule of Law is the very foundation upon which Constitutional Democracy is built and that interfering with such Institutions or Offices undermines the fundamental virtues of Constitutionalism and Democratic Governance.
He added that the office of the DPP should reassert its independence by not paying heed to political directions adding that this assertion must be done both privately and publicly to avoid a misconception of compromise arising.
File: Police officers (right) try to control suspected riotous UPND cadres at Woodlands police station in Lusaka
By Rev. Canon Dr. Kapya John Kaoma
My fellow priest, Fr. Jackson Katete asked me as to why I stopped contributing to Lusaka Times at the time when Zambian politicians are losing it. I really wanted to remember 2013 as the sad year when Zambia crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations without winning a single match – sadly not. 2013 will be remembered as the year when our politicians lost their minds and acted like utwaiche tulebuta (kids playing in the mud).
2013 the year politicians lost their minds
The increasing culture of violence and insults among politicians is an affront to those who sacrificed their lives for Mother Zambia. Sadly, it is ordinary people who are maimed and die while Micheal Sata, Hakainde Hichilema and Nevers Mumba are living in luxury. My friends, we have lost many lives at the hands of these politicians–men without an iota of decency.
Honestly, we Zambians are the solution to this madness – acting as a single and undivided nation. We must demand that politicians respect and value each and every Zambian life. Sadly, we seem to value the rights of politicians over Zambians. Our politicians are now acting like vultures feeding on our blood to win elections.
It is regrettable that President Sata, Mumba and Hichilema have become “Supreme Leaders,” who govern by decrees. As party presidents, these vicious dictators silence opposition in their own parties–so much for multi-party democracy. Today, MPs no longer represent our interests but those of these blood and power hungry leaders. To be MP means selling all your senses, and becoming a stooge of the party president.
[pullquote]In Zambia, politics is like watching mentally challenged individuals arguing – you can hardly tell the difference.[/pullquote]
Be it PF, MMD and UPND, opposing the “Supreme Leader” warrants expulsion from the party and ultimately to losing one’s seat–unless one is joining PF. Has Zambia become North Korea–where public office means worshiping the Supreme Leader? Ethically, it does not make sense for Mumba and HH to denounce Sata to the Commonwealth and the international community, while denying the same fundamental rights to their MPs.
PF gangnam style
Let me be frank about this political madness. Our PF governnment is too arrogant to accept that something is wrong in the nation. The nonsense of by elections’ driven development is a misuse of national resources. It is time President Sata realized that the people of Southern province are full citizens with full rights and benefits entitled to all Zambians.
Nobody can deny that PF has become too complacent with the rule of law. Its cadres are becoming too violent and the party leadership is too stubborn to accept that its policies are detrimental to the well-being of our nation. Shielding corrupt individuals like GBM and Kabimba is immoral and it won’t lead to more money in our pockets. I am not opposed to the socialist policies of PF but I am opposed to how things are being done. We are a democracy and our policies ought to be debated before implementation. The state media and the Post Newspaper cannot continue to mislead the nation into believing that everything is ok. Things are going from bad to worse. By the way, why did Sata’s PF drop Given Lubinda for associating with HH’s Party but continues to appoint opposition MPs into the PF government? So much for democracy – PF gangnam style!
Nevers Mumba’s lack direction
My fellow Pastor Nevers Mumba seems to be everywhere without any sense of democracy or direction. He acts as if he has a God given right to the presidency but not so fast. I know that some pastors still believe that Mumba is destined to rule Zambia. I am not a prophet or apostle but a priest, so I won’t dispute this prophesy. However, one thing I know is that God does not vote, but people do. Within the short time he has been at the helm of MMD, Mumba has made more enemies than friends – sadly alienating longtime MMD members. The establishment of the “Real Blue” movement suggests that MMD is not likely to win any by elections – later on general elections.
Mumba acts like MMD’s “Supreme Leader” when dealing with his opponents. All those opposing his moves are beaten up. Mumba wants to win sympathy from Zambians over his harassment by PF but forgets how he instigated the beating of Major Kachingwe. Under no condition will MMD survive in its current state – like UNIP, it is headed to the graveyard of Zambian politics. People will remember Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and of course, Rupiya Banda and that’s it. To be frank, Mumba has never been popular in MMD – he is an outsider and cancer driving MMD to its grave. By the way, Mumba tried contesting elections under various Christian political parties – and lost badly. I can go on and on but I stop here – after all it is MMD politics gangnam style.
HH the capitalist
I consider HH the “Mitt Romney” of Zambian politics. The man made his fortune from liquidating companies – creating misery for many miners while pocketing millions of dollars. That is how capitalism works and I fully agree. But being a successful businessman does not always qualify one for the Presidency. I know some people see his business background as essential to leadership. I contend, however, that politics and business are two different things. One can build a business alone but nobody builds a political career without people. Like Romney, HH’s political career was destroyed by his own followers. I have met HH and he is not a bad guy. However, Mazoka’s wife and her people destroyed HH’s political future when they defined his leadership on tribal lines. I believe HH understands this problem but like Romney–failed to rebuke extremists in the Republican party–HH has found it dreadful to shed off the tribal fringes of his party for fear of losing tribal support. It is this aspect that his opponents exploit and it works.
That aside, UPND under HH has the record of untold violence which we never saw with Mazoka. When it comes to violence, his cadres are not better than MMD or PF. Like Sata, HH is another dictator whose bidding is final. His continuous harassment of his MPs who want to serve in the PF government says much about his credentials. His insults against Nawakwi and the women of Zambia places him in the company of Sata and Mumba. By the way, why is UPND–the party that prides in democracy stuck with HH as if he is a president for life? Another democracy, UPND Gangnam style.
This makes me wonder as to who is the adult in Zambian politics. In Zambia, politics is like watching mentally challenged individuals arguing – you can hardly tell the difference. Come 2016, I don’t see any of these power hungry dictators doing any good for Zambia. So let us start looking somewhere else and bring decency back in Zambian politics. Remember, we are one Zambia, One nation – regardless of our tribal and party identifications.
FDD president Edith Nawakwi with husband Geoffrey Hambulo
Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader, Edith Nawakwi has described as retrogressive calls by some opposition political leaders inciting their youths not to participate in national events.
Ms Nawakwi who was speaking at Freedom Statue yesterday after participating in the match past during the Youth Day celebrations said there was no need for the youths to snub national events because that was the platform for them to air their grievance and tell the government what they wanted it to do for them.
She called on the government not to leave out the youth when implementing programmes which affected them.
“Involving youths in national programmes is encouraging and can help in the improvement of economic growth, I urge the PF government not to exclude the youths but to encourage them to participate in national development regardless of their political affiliation,” she said.
And PF Lusaka Information and Publicity secretary, Stanley Chiuma said it was encouraging to see youths defying the earlier order to boycott this year’s National Youth Day celebrations saying such events were vital for the youths.
He said staying away would have meant that there was no unity among youths in the country and that such political parties should stay away from promoting violence as it was a recipe for civil strife in any country.
“Such functions are vehicles of promoting peace and development in the country, youths are able to interact with others and in turn share ideas for political development, it is unfortunate that some opposition political parties still want to promote violence and not togetherness,” he said.
National Restoration Party (NRP) president Cosmo Mumba Dr Mumba said national events were not for political parties but for all Zambians and asked all youths not to listen to their leaders who did not shun such events in their days as they knew the benefits of attending
national events.
Minister of Youth and Sport Chishimba Kambwili has paid tribute to youths in Zambia for taking part in this year’s youth day celebrations.
Mr Kambwili paid tribute to youths around the country for not heeding to directives from some disgruntled political parties not to take part in the celebrations.
Speaking when he addressed youths from all walks of life who gathered in Lusaka at the Freedom statue today to celebrate this year’s youth day which came under a theme “Opportunity for youth through enterprise,” Mr. Kambwili said the theme appealed to stakeholders to take up the opportunity that create enterprise development among the youth.
Mr. Kambwili said this year’s theme is a call for all Zambian youths to become innovate and alert so that they can be able to seize opportunities created by the government and other stakeholders in making entrepreneurship a viable career option.
The Youth and Sport Minister said in an a effort to ensure that funds reach the intended persons, his Ministry has strengthened management of the Youth Development Fund by putting in place a disbursement mechanism that provides a more transparent manner of fund distribution to the provinces.
He said his Ministry has also embarked on restructuring of the Ministry of Youth and Sport to ensure that it establishes offices in all districts.
Mr. Kambwili said following the Presidential directive last year his office has been working with other stakeholders as well as co-operating partners in coming up with a strategic plan on youth empowerment.
He stated that his Ministry will soon be coming up with a draft of the strategic plan which will be subjected to stakeholders’ consultation to allow all players make an input to the document.
He said it is governments desire to ensure that it establishes at least one youth vocational skills training centre in every district as per advocate in the PF manifesto.
Meanwhile Patriotic Front Information and Publicity Secretary for Lusaka Youths Stanley Chiumia said it is unfortunate that at a time when youths need to interact and share their ideas they are being stopped from doing some by some political parties.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today Mr. Chiumia thanked other political parties like the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), United National Independence Party (UNIP) and the New Revolution Party who took part in the youth day celebrations.
Mr. Chiumia said people should always remember that development is not a thing that can happen overnight but that it is a gradual process that calls for proper planning.
He said Zambian youths should be happy to note the several strides the PF has made so far in encouraging entrepreneurship.
He said this year’s theme “Opportunity for youth through enterprise” has come at a right time when government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to job creation as can be seen in the number of youths across the country that have benefited and are doing businesses through the youth empowerment funds provided under the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
Mr. Chiumia further thanked the government for increasing the budget allocation for youth and sport in the 2013 national budget.
A Zambia Air Force (ZAF) officer has died while his co-pilot sustained injuries after the ZAF helicopter crashed on landing Lusaka City Airport around 11:00 hours yesterday.
Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba confirmed the death of Major Misapa Mukupa who he said was pronounced dead on arrival at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he was rushed after the accident.
The co-pilot Captain Kenneth Chilala sustained minor injuries and was reported to be out of danger.
Mr Mwamba said the helicopter lost control causing it to crash-land and investigations into the cause of the accident have since been instituted.
He has on behalf of the Commander of the Armed forces, President Michael Sata, on his own behalf, the entire defence force and on behalf of the Zambian people conveyed deep condolences to the family of Major Mukupa.
Mr Mwamba said the accident happened around 11:14 hours yesterday when a ZAF Z9 helicopter crashed on landing at the Airport.
“Yes it’s true we experienced an accident this morning around 11:14 hours hours where a Zambia Air Force, Z9 helicopter crashed on landing at the City Airport.
“There were two crew members and one of them sustained serious injuries and was rushed to UTH where he was pronounced dead upon arrival”. Mr Mwamba said.
He said the entire country was sudden by the death of the officer adding that Major Mukupa’s next of kin has already been informed about the tragedy.
Mr Mwamba said that an investigation has already been launched to establish the cause of the accident.
