Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo says he hoping to keep his three-match competitive unbeaten run against Zambia since 2001 intact.
Yobo told LT sports at The Super Eagles base at Ingwenyama Lodge in White River after the official Group C pre-match briefing on Thursday morning that the pressure was on Zambia to win and stay in the competition.
“Yeah hopefully an unbeaten run is always very good if you don’t lose a game,” Yobo said.
“If we don’t win tomorrow we still have Ethiopia to be to qualify which is still good.
“If they (Zambia) lose tomorrow they are in trouble.”
Yobo earned his first cap against Zambia in 2001 in a 1-1 draw at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola in a 2002 Africa Cup Group One qualifier.
“It is not just about me,” Yobo said.
“No team is coming to play for a draw everybody is coming here for the three points.
“Nigeria wants to win this game to gain confidence and progress.”
Herve Renard backs misfiring Christopher Katongo and declares his captain as the fittest player in his team.
The Zambia captain has come under fire from the Zambian public after being at the centre of wasted chances and failing to complement Collins Mbesuma in attack in the teams’ poor performance in the 1-1 against Ethiopia in their opening Group C game on January 21 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
“Christopher Katongo is one of the fittest players in the team,” Renard said.
“He is never injured. If he is not efficient it means the team was not always competitive.”
Katongo, who is expected to lead Zambia’s attack against Nigeria on Friday, was substituted in the 84th minute against Ethiopia and replaced by midfielder Mukuka Mulenga.
“He is a leader and his behavior is fantastic he will show the world and I have no doubt about it,” Renard added.
Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito has sought the High Court’s Order that eight people recently arrested in Mongu for seditious practices, should stand trial in Mumbwa.
Mr Nchito has contended that it may not be conducive to conduct trial in MONGU due to security reasons.
Mr Nchito says he has been informed by the police that the environment in Mongu after the arrest of the accused poses security concerns.
But defence Lawyers Sakwiba Sikota has contended that the application is misconceived on grounds that the accused are not appearing before any Court Subordinate to the High Court.
Mr Sikota says this implies that there is no order on which jurisdiction the trial of the accused must be carried out.
This is in a matter where Christopher Muyendekwa and Seven others are arrested and charged with Seditious Practice contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Muyendekwa’s co-accused are Malamo Mubiana, Mulima Mubiana, Nalumino Mufwendo and Augustine Chingumba.
Others are Charles Mubita Silumesii, Kaiko Kaiko and Mubina Muyunda.
The Patriotic Front (PF) candidate for the Mpongwe by elections, Gabriel Namulambe, has expressed confidence that he would scoop the seat come February 28th.
Mr Namulambe says he is assured of total support in Mpongwe Constituency, adding that he would be contesting on a party that is popular.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the PF has a live manifesto while other political parties’ manifestos are dead.
Mr Namulambe said the PF’s motive is to take development to the people of Mpongwe.
“People of Mpongwe should realize that the PF means business in these elections,” he said.
Mr Namulambe has since appealed to all political players to have issue-based campaigns prior to the by elections.
He has called on people of Mpongwe to rally behind him in the upcoming by elections just like they did in the 2011 General Elections.
Yesterday, the PF Central Committee adopted MrNamulambe for the Mpongwe by elections and Lawrence Evans for the Livingstone by elections.
THE newly adopted Patriotic Front (PF) candidate for next month’s Livingstone Parliament by-election Lawrence Evans has pledged to focus on the upgrading infrastructure in the Tourist Capital to promote development.
Mr Evans, aged 46 and a director at Ngombe Breweries, said he would work with the Government to upgrade infrastructure in the city to induce development once elected as Area Member of Parliament (MP).
Speaking in an interview in Livingstone today, Mr Evans noted that most infrastructures in Livingstone were built in the colonial days and hence they should be upgraded to make them match the current demands of the economy.
“I want to focus on developing Livingstone once I am elected as Area MP. The people of Livingstone would like to see development because the city has for a long time lagged behind in terms of development,” he said.
Mr Evans cited Libuyu Bridge in Livingstone as one such infrastructure which was aging and unreliable because it had never been upgraded since it was built in the colonial days.
“The Libuyu Bridge was built in Colonial days and whenever the river floods, the people of Libuyu are cut off and I would like to work on this Bridge once elected as Area MP,” he said.
Mr Evans said he would support the infrastructure drive in the Tourist Capital to improve the face of the city ahead of the August 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.
He said the current upgrading of 40 kilometres selected township roads in Livingstone as well as the planned construction of a town centre ultramodern market and an intercity bus terminus would promote development in the city.
On fighting youth unemployment in Livingstone, Mr Evans said there was need to come up with training centres where unemployed young people could acquire some skills.
He noted that some youths had no skills and hence it was important that they were trained in skills such as catering, carpentry and mechanics among others to enable them exploit various opportunities in the Tourist Capital.
The Livingstone Parliamentary by-election fell vacant after Howard Sikwela resigned from United Party for National Development (UPND) and as Area MP.
MMD National Youth Secretary Tobias Kafumukache addresses journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka
MMD Youth National Secretary has warned members that are masquerading as MMD members to desist from doing so.
MMD Youth National Secretary, Tobias Kafumukache, has disclosed that some former MMD members have been masquerading as if they still belong to the former ruling party.
Mr Kafumukache says such unwarranted behaviour has led to the expulsion of some former party members who had been on suspension awaiting their cases being heard.
Mr Kafumukache has also warned youths across the country not to allow themselves to be used by selfish and disgruntled politicians.
He was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today.
Mr Kafumukache said the youths should instead use their energy and strength for the upcoming Mpongwe and Livingstone by elections.
The youth secretary also disclosed that he respects the MMD leadership led by Nevers Mumba and Kapembwa Simbao.
He stated that this is so because the duo was duly elected by the convention segmented in provinces.
The United Party for National Development(UPND) has vowed to go ahead with a public rally scheduled for Sunday in Lusaka’s Kabwata area.
This is despite police refusing to issue a permit for the event.
UPND Deputy Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says the party will go ahead with the rally because the police have not given any reasonable justification for refusing to give them a permit.
But Inspector General of police Stella Libongani says police has already given enough grounds on why they did not give the permit to the UPND.
She says she supports the stance taken by Lusaka division Commissioner Joyce Kasosa on the denial of the permit to the UPND.
Meanwhile the UPND has given the Zambia police service a forty eight hour ultimatum in which to apologize for allegedly brandishing it to the general public as a violent party failure to which it will seek legal redress.
The UPND deputy spokesperson says the party will proceed with legal redress if the apology is not received from the police within two days.
But Inspector General of police Stella Libongani says she will only react to the ultimatum after it has been served to her by the UPND.
And the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that, in view of Police in Lusaka denying the UPND notice to hold its planned rally in Kabwata on grounds that the opposition political party cannot be trusted to hold a violent-free rally, UPND should go by what police have advised.
In a statement to the media, Home Affairs spoeksperson said that the Ministry is aware that the Lusaka Division Police Commissioner Ms Joyce Kasosa has invited the UPND for dialogue over this development and as Home Affairs, they encourage this move.
” We therefore encourage the UPND to respond positively and dialogue with police and come up with an amicable solution,” the statement said.
“If UPND go ahead with their planned rally with or without Police approval in kabwata this Sunday, they will be breaking the law as they will be conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.”
” After being informed not to go ahead, they will have themselves to blame for the consequences of their acts and they should not claim that they were not forewarned, ”
” We therefore implore UPND to dialogue with police unlike taking a confrontational approach towards the issue as police are not willing to be at variance with UPND but instead promote a spirit of dialogue as stakeholders, ” concluded the statement
The Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association has expressed worry over the possibility of Zambia playmaker Chisamba Lungu being left out in tomorrow’s encounter against Nigeria due to an injury.
Association Chairperson, Yotam Mwanza, said it is sad that Lungu, who came on the scene last year and has exhibited massive talent as a focal point of the team has to miss the crucial match.
Mwanza hoped for a speedy recovery for Lungu who is a volatile player as he is team mid fielder and also plays striker and an asset to the Chipolopolo stars.
He expressed confidence in Chipolopolo coach, Herve Renard, whom he said would come up with a suitable replacement as medical experts have ruled out Lungu’s participation in this Friday’s tournament.
Mwanza also predicted a 2-0 score in favour of Zambia, the defending champions, in tomorrow’s encounter against Nigeria.
He appealed to the Chipolopolo boys to apply themselves fully in tomorrow’s game and urged soccer fans to rally behind the team and offer the needed moral support.
Lungu suffered a bruised left bone in Chipolopolo’s 1-1 draw against Ethiopia on Monday and sat out training on Wednesday.
The Chipolopolo medical team advised the technical staff to rest Lungu following their assessment of the player.
Zambia will take on Nigeria tomorrow, marking their second game in the tournament.
FORMER Transport and Communications Minister, William Harrington has applied for the appointment of a tribunal to probe Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo’s alleged abuse of office, as reported in the media, in the manner she dismissed the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officials.
The application is in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice dated January 21, this year,.
Mr Harrington said he had nothing personal against Ms Masebo but that he supported Government’s stance against corruption and appealed to concerned parties to take advantage of the tribunal once set-up to offer their views on the matter other than issuing statements in the media.
Mr Harrington outlined the terms of reference as being, to investigate media allegations of interference and abuse of office by the Ms Masebo.
This was in the tender process where she allegedly ordered the withdrawal and non-publication of the list of successful bidders for hunting concession licences and cancellation of tender processes in breach of the Zambia Public Procurement Agency (ZPPA) Act of number 12 of 2008 as quoted in the Sunday Nation of January 6, this year.
The other allegation being the appointing of a committee to prepare her own bidding document in breach of the ZPPA Act, which was also published in the Sunday Nation of January 6, this year.
Mr Harrington also called for investigations into media allegations of abuse of office and breach of contracts and the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act Part II Section 3 (c) on the part of Ms Masebo, when she dismissed senior ZAWA management officials being public officers from employment on allegations of corruption in the hunting concession licences tender process.
Mr Harrington quoted the Post Newspaper of January 3, this year, the Times of Zambia and the Post Newspaper of December 31, last year, respectively and the Times of Zambia of January 2, this year.
He called for investigations in media allegations of the breach of the ZAWA Act by the Minister when she issued a verbal instruction to ZAWA officers to hunt wildlife without issuing Special Licence and allegations of irregularities and corruption by ZAWA management in the handling of tender for hunting concession licences as quoted in the Times of Zambia of December 31, last year.
Mr Harrington also said Ms Masebo should be investigated on whether procedure was followed in the banning of hunting.
“Investigate media reports that the Minister is in breach of State security by failing and/or neglecting to report to Government security wings that foreign registered aircraft are violating Zambian airspace to uplift, out of Zambia some wildlife species or Government trophy as reported in the POST newspaper of January 3, 2013 and the Daily Nation of January 4, 2013,” Mr Harrington said.
He said the tribunal should also recommend to Government appropriate administrative action based on the findings of the investigations as provided under the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act.
He attached photocopies of the newspaper articles.
“In making this application, I am aware of the requirement of your office to notify the Republican President and the Hon. Mr Speaker. I pray that you, Hon. Chief Justice, will give my application your favourable consideration in the public interest and I thank you in anticipation,” he said.
UNIVERSITY Teaching Hospital (UTH) public relations manager Pauline Mbangweta has refuted media reports that the main hospital ran out of supply to the operating theatre. In an interview yesterday Ms Mbangweta explained that the UTH oxygen plant experienced a supply fault of the service on Monday.
She said the development caused a low supply of the commodity into the cylinder pipes to the theatres resulting into inadequate pressure delivery of oxygen.
“The situation is normal now. We have normal supply of oxygen. What we experienced was a low supply of oxygen from the plant into cylinders.
“It’s actually wrong to say that UTH has run out of oxygen because the four main theatres only experienced a low supply of oxygen and the problem was worked on,” she said.
UTH on Monday experienced a critical low supply of oxygen in the four main theatres but the situation has now normalised.
Several patients on Monday were reportedly to have been turned away because of inadequate supply of oxygen as only emergency cases were attended to.
Oxygen therapy is the administration of oxygen as a medical intervention, which can be for a variety of purposes in both chronic and acute patient care and is essential for cell metabolism.
The affected major operation theatres at the country’s highest referral health institution included the emergency theatre which caters for emergency casualty cases.
Others were the main theatre, DO1 theatre for children and the C Block theatre mostly used for gynecology cases.
UTH public relations manager Pauline Mbangweta confirmed the low shortage of oxygen at the four major theatres.
A check, however, revealed the emergency, main, DO1 theatres and the C Block theatre had started operating after experiencing a low supply of the commodity from the oxygen plant which developed a technical fault.
According to some workers at C Block theatre, they said they were only able to carry out emergency cases at the theatre due to lower oxygen supply on Monday.
They said several women who went for operations at C Block theatre were taken to other operation theatres.
The sources were however, confident that management would successfully work on the problem.
They said UTH being the highest referral health institution should always be equipped with necessities such as sufficient supply of oxygen to all theatres.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Mutual Accountability Framework between Government and its health partners in Lusaka
Government says the health sector will continue to experience imbalances if the services provided at primary health levels are not supported by specialist treatment at the second and third level hospitals.
Minister of Health Joseph Kasonde said although the country has continued to achieve maximum results in the health system, the sector was still experiencing challenges at second and second hospital level.
Dr. Kasonde said there was need for an improved strategic investment in the referral system so that the second and third level hospitals are improved and equipped with specialised treatment care services.
He noted that if the continued decline of effective access to health services at the hospital level was not addressed, it would affect the health sector in yielding maximum results in the provision of clean, caring and competent health care services to the people of Zambia.
Dr. Kasonde however charged that government will continue to strengthen the referral system from the second and third level hospitals in order to supplement the quality of care that was provided at primary health care level.
He explained that the extension of primary health care to other ministries such as the Ministry of Defence, Local Government and Community Development among others has called for a demand of improved health care provision at the second and third level hospitals.
Dr. Kasonde said this in Lusaka today at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between bilateral/multilateral partners and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).
He explained that the MoU was meant to support the implementation process of the National Health Strategic Plan for 2011-2015 which government launched last year.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kasonde has reaffirmed that government will continue to work with the private sector in order to provide efficient health care strategies to the people of Zambia.
The minister also said government will endeavour to embrace a result orientation approach in the implementation of various health care reforms in the health sector.
Dr. Kasonde said with the involvement of the private sector, the Ministry of Health has continued to record positive results as seen from a number of health indicators have been achieved over the years.
And Department for International Development (DFID) Head of Office in Zambia Kevin Quinlan said there was need for Zambia to develop a non-tolerant approach in the implementing various health policies which it has embarked on.
At the same function, United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storrela urged government to remain transparent in the management of funds meant to improve the health standards of Zambians.
Ambassador Storrela was gratified that many cooperating partners have continued to support the health sector in Zambia adding that this shows the credibility of the government.
And Head of Bilateral Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, Per Lundel, hoped the signing of the MOU will promote accountability in the implementation of various health reforms in the country.
The signing ceremony was attended by various ambassadors accredited to Zambia, NGOs and the civil society organisations (CSO).
Suspended Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa (left) flanked by his wife Hellen (right) addressing a media briefing in his house on Tuesday afternoon
Suspended Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa has denied being paid by the government for him not to stand in the coming Livingstone parliamentary by elections.
He said that there was no way someone can influence him not to stand because each and everyone have a right to make their decisions.
He said that he has a political party where he belongs which is the United Party for National Development (UPND), adding that he had better options to join Movement for Multy-Part Democracy when Rupiah Banda was the republican because he interacted a lot with him.
Mr Njekwa was speaking when he held a press briefing at his residence in Livingstone yesterday.
He has since warned legal action against any person found circulating information that he was paid by government.
Meanwhile Mr Njekwa has disclosed that the decision to suspend the Livingstone Town Clerk and two others was recommended by the Southern province Permanent Secretary Dr Chileshe Mulenga and the council only adhered to the decision and called for a full council meeting to discuss the way forward.
He further said that council looked at the aspects of the recommendation from the Permanent Secretary and a decision was arrived at to recommend to the Local Government Service Commissioner so that
the Town Clerk was to continue working until they receive communication from local government service commission to say that the recommendation from the Livingstone city council is hereby adhered to.
“It was not Council who wrote direct to the affected officers, I must tell you that on 12 December 2012 I had charges against the Town clerk, but I took her as a sister because i wanted her to celebrate
her Chrismas peacefully so I did not charge her, he said.
Mr Njekwa vowed to remain a member of UPND boosting of being a very powerful politician in Livingstone.
“The Minister of Local Government should know that I’m a powerful politician, whether she likes or not come 2016 I will still win the elections, I understand local government because I’m a student of local
government in South Africa, Mr Njekwa said.
Recently the Minister of Local Government and Housing Emerine Kabanshi suspended the Livingstone city council for unlawfully suspending the Livingstone Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti, Director of Public Health Mr George Kumoyo and Director of Engineering Mr Renny Shidelele pending his retirement.
Major Kachingwe and Mrs. Namugala at the news briefing
Expelled MMD National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe has downplayed the unanimous decision by the National Executive Committee to expel Mafinga MP Catherine Namugala.
“That decision is illegal and therefore null and void. Firstly, the body (the NEC) that sat in the night to expel Hon. Namugala was an illegal body because it was chaired by Nevers Mumba who is illegally occupying office,” Major Kachingwe told a media briefing in Lusaka.
“Secondly, there was already a court process contesting the party’s decision to expel Hon. Namugala which has unfortunately been circumvented to suit the desires of one man,” he said.
“As the real MMD, we don’t recognize the purported expulsion of Hon. Namugala and I have since written to the Speaker clarifying that Hon. Namugala still remains an elected MMD MP for the people of Mafinga.”
He revealed that the faction of the MMD he is leading will this week place adverts in the daily newspapers calling for applications from aspiring candidates for the forthcoming bye elections in Livingstone and Mpongwe.
“We will be fielding candidates both in Mpongwe and Livingstone and all those of our members interested in contesting the two bye elections should look out for the adverts in the papers,” he said.
Major Kachingwe maintained that MMD leader Nevers Mumba is an imposter who is masquerading as leader of the opposition party.
“Our message to our members is that if you see Nevers campaigning in Livingstone or Mpongwe, please quickly report him to the Police for impersonation which is a criminal offence in Zambia,” Major Kachingwe stated.
At the same briefing, Mrs. Namugala said she is surprised that she has “purportedly” been expelled.
“I’m just hearing these rumours but the National Secretary (Major Kachingwe) is here and he hasn’t told me anything about my expulsion so am very surprised,” Mrs. Namugala said.
She said genuine MMD members should stand up and be counted and save the party from total ruins allegedly brought about by Dr. Mumba.
“My message is to the ordinary members of the MMD who have been complaining about how the party has been run down, now this is the time to stand up and defend the MMD. This is a great party which should not be allowed to be hijacked by one man called Nevers Mumba,” Mrs. Namugala said
The Lusaka High Court has denied granting MMD Muchinga Member of Parliament (MP), Catherine Namugala an injunction to restrain her expulsion from the MMD.
Judge Fulgeance Chisanga told lawyers representing MMD when the matter came up in chambers for inter parte hearing today that as far as the court records were showing, Ms Namugala was not issued an injunction to block her expulsion.
This was after one of the defendant’s lawyers Sunday Nkonde informed the court that they were confused with a mistaken view that there was an injunction widely reported in the media that Ms Namugala had been granted an injunction.
Mr Nkonde however told the court that after conferring with his learned counsel for Ms Namugala, Robson Malipenga, he informed them that it was the creation of the media because no injunction was granted to his client.
In response, Judge Chisanga stated “There is no injunction granted as far as the record indicates.”
Ms Namugala is also challenging the appointment of Kapembwa Simbao as acting national secretary.
But Mr Malipenga today asked Judge Chisanga to adjourn the hearing to enable him get fresh instructions from his client in the event that new developments had taken place.
The Nevers Mumba led MMD on Tuesday night expelled Ms Namugala from the party for gross misconduct despite having dragged the party to court to restrain it from expelling her.
Ms Namugala through her lawyer was to determine whether she still had a locus standi to proceed with the matter in an event that the MMD has expelled her before the count granted her an injunction against the defendants.
