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Herve Renards search for the next CAF African Nations Championship qualifying campaign starts this weekend.
Renard and his staff will be at Levy Mwanawsa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday to look at 44 trialists on the first phase of a five-stop nationwide trial tour ahead of the South Africa 2014 CHAN qualifiers that start in June when Zambia visits Botswana in a first round, first leg game.
The Zambia bench’s two-day stop in Ndola will see them look at players pooled from Copperbelt, Luapula and North Western Province.
Renard and his team will later spend another two days at Railway Grounds in Kabwe to look at another pre-selected 44 players from Central and Northern provinces.
Lusaka and Western Province players will meet at one venue in Lusaka, the Eastern and Muchinga Province team will converge in Chipata while Livingstone will date Southern Province trialists.
“With the focus on the CHAN 204 and 2013 Cosafa senior Challenge the coach Herve Renard and his technical staff have commence a nationwide assessment of a 100 of players with the view of including them in these squads with will compete in the continental championship,” Faz spokesperson Erick Mwanza said.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has postponed tomorrow’s Livingstone parliamentary bye election to March 14 2013.
ECZ Chairperson Irene Mambilima told a media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon that the Livingstone election has been postponed due to the violence that has rocked the tourist city.
Justice Mambilima however clarified that the Mpongwe parliamentary bye election and several other ward elections will proceed tomorrow as planned.
She said the ECZ believes that the violent atmosphere in Livingstone would not have guaranteed a free and fair election.
Justice Mambilima said the decision by the ECZ is in line with the Electoral Act and that the next election date falls within the legally stipulated time frame.
She also called on the political parties to ensure that Zambia continues safeguarding its strong international image of holding violent free elections.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God”- 1 John 4:7
Following the cruel death of Mr. Harison Chanda, the Patriotic Front Monze district chairperson, on the evening of 25th February 2013, in Livingstone, we as the Catholic church in Livingstone, have the following to say:
1. We are greatly saddened and shocked by the brutal killing of Mr. Harison Chanda. Henceforth, we condemn in strongest terms the brutal act of violence that led to the loss of life of Mr. Harison Chanda.
2. As a church we are non-partisan.
3. Human life in all its forms should be protected at all times.No person has the right to take away the life of another person, for whatever reason.
4. It is unfortunate that as a result of campaigns in this by-elections, we have lost human life.
5. We call upon the people of livingstone, known for peace, to reject all forms of violence.
6. We call upon all political players, to remain calm and peaceful, today, tomorrow, (the voting day), and after the elections.
7. Aware that tomorrow, 28th February 2013, is a polling day, we call upon all registered voters, to turn up in numbers and cast their ballot paper, to elect a member of parliarment of their choice, without and fear of intimidation.
8. Finally, we reapet: let us love one another. Let us not allow political differences to lead us to hatred and the taking away human life.
By Fr. Clifford Mulasikwanda,
Diocesan Secretary, Catholic Diocese of Livingstone
Street in Livingstone being patrolled by Zambia Police
Seven Civil Society Organisations have called on the Electoral Commissions of Zambia (ECZ) to postpone the Livingstone and Mpongwe by-elections scheduled for tomorrow to another date saying the current atmosphere is not conducive for holding elections.
The seven organisations namely; Zambia Center for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Southern African center for Constructive, Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) Operation Young Vote (OYV) said this in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
The organisations stated that Section 28, the Electoral Act, No. 12 gives the ECZ power to defer elections to another date if the atmosphere is not conducive for holding peaceful, free and fair elections.
They further said there was no doubt that the Mpongwe and Livingstone by elections will not be peaceful as the political atmosphere in the two districts is still tense.
The organisations said should the by-elections go ahead; there will be a low turn up of voters due to fear of harassment, leading to the constituencies having Members of Parliament elected by a number of the electorate.
They stated that both in Livingstone and Mpongwe, the electoral code of conduct was breached and alleged that police exhibited a laisez -faire attitude through the whole ordeal.
The Organizations said it is sad that police have continued to be reactive in the face of electoral violence rather than being proactive.
The Seven Organisations have since called for the immediate resignation of Dr. Solomon Jere as Deputy Inspector General of Police, in order to restore public confidence in the law enforcement body.
Livinstone Police Patrol in Livingtone after yesterday’s riot
1. CHIEF Madzimawe (r) speaking during a press briefing held at Luangwa House in Chipata yesterday. On his right is Paramount Chief Mpezeni during the preparatory meeting
2.CHIEF Madzimawe (r) speaking during a press briefing held at Luangwa House in Chipata yesterday. On his right is Paramount Chief Mpezeni during the preparatory meeting
3. Information and Broadcasting services minister Kennedy Sakeni joins traditional Ngoni dancers during the N’cwala ceremony media and corporate sponsors meeting at Cresta Golfview hotel
4. Information and Broadcasting services minister Kennedy Sakeni joins traditional Ngoni dancers during the N’cwala ceremony media and corporate sponsors meeting at Cresta Golfview hotel
5. Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Kennedy Sakeni receives a cheque from Airtel Zambia Head of Corporate and Government Dr Jerome Kawesha while Noel Nkhoma from the N’cwala National Organising Committe look on at Cresta Golfview hotel
6. PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni salutes to his subjects ( not in picture) outside his Ependukeni palace on Thursday before leaving for Mtenguleni where the Nc’wala ceremony takes place
7. PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni passes through the central business town of Chipata on his way to Laweni in Mtenguleni where the Nc’wala ceremony takes place
8. NGONI Traditional cousins, the Bembas, doing it their own way as they celebrate with others during the movement of Paramount Chief Mpezeni from Ependukeni Palace to Laweni where the Nc’wala ceremony takes place
9. NGONI Traditional cousins, the Bembas, doing it their own way as they celebrate with others during the movement of Paramount Chief Mpezeni from Ependukeni Palace to Laweni where the Nc’wala ceremony takes place
10. PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni on his way to Laweni where the Nc’wala traditional ceremony takes place.
11. CHIEF Madzimawe ( with shield) and Induna Kasambamulopa ( on his immediate right) prepared to present fresh crops to Paramount chief Mpezeni at his palace on Thursday before leaving for Laweni, the place where Nc’wala Traditional ceremony takes place
12. Paramount Chief Mpezeni (left), Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda (centre) and GogoMadimawe (right) listen to praise singers before leaving Lawenito Mutenguleni
13. Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda shakes hands with traditional leaders who gathered at Laweni prior to the N’cwala traditional ceremony.
14. PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni ( in Lion Skin),junior chiefs and his warriors march to the main arena where the Nc’wala traditional ceremony takes place
15. PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni talks to Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, when the Minister paid a courtesy call on him at Laweni before the Nc’wala ceremony in Chipata
16. PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni talks to Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, when the Minister paid a courtesy call on him at Laweni before the Nc’wala ceremony in Chipata
17. FINANCE Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, greets Paramount Chief Mpezeni when he paid a courtesy call at Laweni
18. ELEVEN Years old Omega Nkhanza, presents a knob Kerry and Shield to Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, at Chipata airport on yesterday. Mr. Chikwanda was guest of honour at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni in Chipata
19. Various businesses, like Zambian Breweries (above) were on hand to serve the public with drinks and other consumables near the Nc’wala main arena
20. Zambian Breweries staff sale soft drinks to the public at the N’cwala.
21. Guest of honour atth 2013 Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni,Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda reads a speech on behlaf of president Sata
22. Young Impis perform the Ngoma war dance at the N’cwala traditional ceremony
23. Part of the audience at the N’cwala
24. Impis cerebrate on arrival at the main N’cwala arena at Mutenguleni.
25. A procession of Ngoni’s covers the Great East road from Laweni to Mutenguleni during the N’cwala
26. Impis form a cordon around Paramount Chief Mpezeni as the party walked from Laweni to Mutenguleni for the climax of the N’cwala traditional ceremony
27.
28. Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people joins the Impis in the Ngoma war at the N’cwala traditional ceremony
29. Paramount Chief Mpezeni welcomes a delegation of traditional leaders from Western Province during the N’cwala traditional ceremony
30. ANgoni warrior spears a black bull at the N’cwala traditional ceremony
31. Invited guests are presented with pieces of roasted meat from a sacrificed bull at the N‘cwla traditional ceremony
32. Paramount Chief Mpezeni watches traditional dance at the N’cwala main arena in Mutenguleni
33. Paramount Chief Mpezeni drinks blood from a black bull that was sacrificed at the N’cwala Traditional ceremony
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba bemoaned the holding of press briefings by the United Party for National Development (UPND) to cry foul instead of taking responsibility for the death of PF Monze District Vice Chairperson Harrison Chanda.
Mr Kabimba has since expressed the party’s condolences to the family of the district party official and assured them that the party stands with them during this extremely painful moment.
Mr Kambimba said it was hair-raising that the UPND immediately after allegedly murdering Mr Chanda decided to announce their strategies of how they would secure blood stained votes in Livingstone when they should have instead shown remorse, respect and sympathy for the deceased and his family.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Kabimba said the behavior of the UPND was typical of their selfishness and high levels of immorality which have made the Zambians continue rejecting them.
He said the PF were dismayed by the UPND leader Hikainde Hichilema’s attempts to turn his party from culprits to victims stressing that it was shameful for the UPND to rush to the media in an attempt to wish away the crime and gain political sympathy from it while making no mention of the innocent victim.
The PF secretary general stated that the murder of Mr Chanda in Livingstone lay within the Mapatizya Formula the opposition party has publicly promoted adding that it was for this reason that the PF has warned against the formula whose intend was terror, crime, and violence.
Mr Kabimba who is also Minister of Justice wondered how the UPND even sought support from the Commonwealth and the international community.
And Mr Kabimba has thanked PF supporters and cadres especially those in Livingstone for remaining calm and leaving the matter in the hands of law enforcers adding that members should mourn Mr Chanda with the dignity he deserves.
A 12 – year – old boy survived death after being nailed to a tree over a catapult in Chief Chamuka’s chiefdom in the new Chisamba district in Central province.
Chief Chamuka of the Lenje speaking people in Central province told ZANIS in Chisamba yesterday that Oscar Sichone 12, of Muntembo village in Chipilepile area in his chiefdom was found by his parents after a long search with his both palms and feet nailed to a tree in the bush.
The traditional leader said the boy was beaten and later taken to the bush for crucifixion by Stanley Chinyama of Kapiri village of the same area after the he was found with the missing Catapults belonging to Chinyama.
He said the incident happened this Sunday around midday and that the boy was only discovered in the evening of that day.
Central Province Commissioner of Police Standwell Lungu confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Kabwe yesterday that the incidence took place on Sunday this week at Kapiri village in Chisamba district.
Mr Lungu said police has arrested the suspect Stanley Chinyama 42, a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church elder who is currently detained at Munano police station in Chisamba awaiting his appearance in court.
Expressing his disappointment in an interview with ZANIS at his palace, Chief Chamuka said it was very heartbreaking to note that the suspect decided to crucify the boy by nailing him on a tree over a
simple reason of the loss of ‘malegeni’ (a catapult) which he described as a barbaric and inhuman act.
He further said it was sad that at the time when government and everyone was fighting the acts of violence and abuse against children, Christians who are supposed to lead in the issues of child protection could allow the devil to use them barbarically.
He added that he felt pity for both the suspect Stanley Chinyama who was a church elder and for all the churches, adding that Christianity was about shining, but that today one candle light went off due to murder acts.
The traditional leader appealed to the law enforcers to stiffen the punishment for such law breakers so as to protect the lives of many other children who cannot protect themselves from violence and to set a lesson before other would be offenders.
He urged the SDA church and other Christians at large to take up the challenge and ask for God’s guidance in everything so that no one loses faith in the men who stand at the paw pit to preach the word of God.
And narrating his fate to ZANIS at Chipembi clinic where he was admitted after the nails were removed out of his body, the boy said he in the company of his friend were found stealing catapults belonging to Mr Chinyama, who took hold of him and started bartering him.
Oscar said Mr Chinyama later carried him to the nearby bush where he hammered nails on his both palms and feet to a tree, and told him that, ‘iyi zuba uyiona ka last, nasima imene wadya lero niya last chifukwa nikupaya’ (this is the last time you are seeing the sun and the last food you ate because I am killing you).
He further said that his perpetrator told him he was going to hammer him another nail in the head before cutting him into pieces until he was dead, he said.
Oscar’s father, Oswell Sichone said the boy went missing on that material day, adding that he was later in the evening directed to the bush by a boy’s friend who claimed to have seen where the suspect took him to.
Mr sichone said he was shocked to find his son lying on the cross with his hands and feet deeply nailed to the tree as he battled for his life in a lonely bush awaiting death.
Oscar Sichone who sustained wounds caused by nails that were pierced and hammered into his hands and feet has since been transferred from Chipembi rural clinic to Liteta District hospital for further treatment of his wounds.
President Michael Sata has said that he has no intentions of turning the country into a one party state.
He was speaking at State House today when he swore in newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Effron Lungu and Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Richwel Siamunene.
President Sata has officially appointed Effron Lungu as the new Foreign Affairs Minister replacing Given Lubinda who has been dropped pending the determination of his disciplinary case by the party’s Central Committee.
President Sata has also appointed another UPND Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene as Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, becoming the second UPND MP to be co-opted into the PF government after Greford Monde who was also appointed as deputy Minister two weeks ago.
President Sata swore-in Mr Lungu this morning who was until his appointment Foreign Affairs deputy minister. President Sata made no mention of Mr Lubinda during the searing ceremony.
Mr. Sata urged the newly appointed to work hard in the execution of their duties.
Others sworn-in are Dr. Roland Msiska as Secretary to the Cabinet and Robert Kamalata as senior private Secretary in the Office of the Vice president.
And President has announced the death of Chieftainess Chanda Mukulu of Kasama, Northern Province who passed on this morning at the University teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.
Power Dynamos defender Govenda Simwala has failed to recover from an ankle injury in time for Sunday’s away CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, return leg against Recreativo da Caala of Angola.
Power coach Beston Chambeshi confirmed on Tueday.
“He (Simwala) is out of the team which is travelling to Angola. He is still on the injury list,” he said.
According to a medical review, Simwala will only return to action after three weeks.
He watched from the stands as his colleagues trained at Arthur Davies Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Simwala also missed the first leg tie which Power won 1-0 in Kitwe last week.
He sustained the injury in a friendly match against promoted Kalulushi Modern Stars played early in February,
Power are scheduled to leave for Angola on Friday.
MMD president Nevers Mumba says he strongly condemns the violence in Livingstone regardless of the perpetrator.
The violence in the tourist capital on Monday evening claimed the life of a PF member Henry Chanda, resulting in the arrest of UPND president Hakainde Hichilema together with several of his members including two Members of Parliament Garry Nkombo and Request Muntanga.
Dr. Mumba in a statement issued by his Director of Communications Muhabi Lungu says the violence in Livingstone, whether perpetrated by the ruling PF or the opposition UPND should be condemned.
He says no form of violence should be entertained in a democratic nation like Zambia where divergent views need to be respected.
Dr. Mumba states that political parties participating in an election should solicit for support by using ideas and not violence.
He has since urged the police in southern province to thoroughly investigate the matter instead of rushing to act.
Over 100,000 people will starve if the Government does not send relief food to the Sinazongwe Dengeza in Senior Chief Mweemba’s area. The people have now resorted to eating the common grass called Mpunga and wild fruits.
This came to light when the deputy minister in the office of the Vice President Harry Kalaba toured Sinazongwe on Monday on a fact-finding mission.
The minister, who was accompanied by the area Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene, Sinazongwe District Commissioner and senior officials from the disaster management unit, said it was unacceptable that people could be eating wild grass.
Speaking to journalists in Sinazongwe, Mr Kalaba said it was sad that people could be feeding on wild fruits and that the Government would not allow people to die of starvation.
“The people in the valley should not die of starvation, and that no one should be allowed to play politics at the expense of the lives of the people. As Government, we will move in quickly,” he said.
Mr Siamunene said the Government would deliver food to the area.
“The UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema should pick a leaf from this that there is time for everything and not always politicking,” he said.
The law maker said the situation was critical that he felt the need to engage the people in Government so that he would not be guilty for not attending to people’s plight.
“Over 100,000 households have resorted to eating grass known as Mpunga and wild fruits,” Mr Siamunene said.
He said the price of mealie meal had sky rocketted to KR70 or K70, 000 in the district.
He said the valley area was prone to drought resulting in people always in need of relief food.
“We need a comprehensive approach to the challenge that the people are facing. Irrigation systems should be put in place as Lake Kariba is just a stone’s throw away,” he said.
And Sinazongwe district commissioner Dodo Sindaza said his office had written to the food reserve agency (FRA) for supply of maize to the area as mealie meal was in short supply.
Government says the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) will be presented to Parliament in the third session of the eleventh national assembly in June this year.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Kennedy Sakeni said in an interview yesterday that Government had to first conclude the required procedure before presenting the bill to Parliament.
“There are some procedures that must be followed before presenting a bill to Parliament and this legislative process takes a bit of time to conclude, but we are convinced that the FOI will be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament,” he said.
Mr Sakeni who is also chief Government spokesperson said had it not been for the lengthy consolidation procedure, the FOI would have been presented in the ongoing session that commenced sitting last week.
He urged members of the public to remain patient as the Government was committed to ensuring FOI is implemented.
Some media bodies recently expressed concern over Governments delayed decision to present the FOI to Parliament.
MISA Zambia chapter chairperson Nalumino Nalumino said the organisation was concerned that the Government had not yet been presented the FOI to Parliament.
Mr Nalumino said the chapter had for a long time been championing calls for the freedom of information and desires to see the FOI implemented as soon as possible.
Finance Minister Alexander ChikwandaFinance Minister Alexander Chikwanda
Government is putting stringent measures to strengthen the kwacha and maintain Zambia as a credible investment destination, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda told Parliament yesterday.
Mr Chikwanda said a continually weakening kwacha induced inflationary spirals which impinged negatively on the country’s economy.
He said this in a ministerial statement in response to a recent point of order raised by UPND Monze Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu on the Kwacha Exchange Rates.
“As custodian of public interests, the Government will take all conceivable measures to put matters right. It is a delicate exercise and balance but we will not renege on our duties,” Mr Chikwanda said.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said Government would re-constitute the board members of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) from the current 11 members to seven in accordance with the Energy Regulation Act No. 16 of 1995 with Amendment Act No 23 of 2003 which provides that the board shall be composed of seven members.
He told the House in a ministerial statement in response to Mr Mwiimbu who recently raised a point of order on whether or not Government was in order to breach the provisions of ERB Act No. 16 of 1995 to appoint 11 board members instead of seven.
MMD Vubwi MP Eustarkio Kazonga and his UPND Zambezi West counterpart Charles Kakoma wondered why Government could not notice errors made to appoint 11 ERB board members instead of seven and whether Government would ensure the new board was gender balanced.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has directed Vice President Guy Scott to issue a ministerial statement on the arrests of some UPND MPs in Livingstone yesterday.
This was in his ruling to Mr Kakoma who raised a point of order on whether it was in order for Dr Scott to remain quiet without issuing a statement on the arrests of some UPND MPs in Livingstone.
Deputy Minister of Health Patrick Chukusu said in response during questions for oral answers from PF Obius Chilubi that from January 2005 to December 2011, about 3,915 women died as a result of maternal related complications.
