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Senanga District Commissioner Mittupulo Yumei has appealed to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the district to quickly ask people residing in flood prone areas to move to dry lands and avoid loss of life.
Mr. Yumei told ZANIS in a telephone interview that the volume of water has become too big for people to continue staying in wet lands.
He complained that the district will face a reduction in crop production this year as most of the crop fields have been washed away due to floods.
He however thanked government for responding hastily in sending and distributing relief food to the affected families in Senanga.
Mr. Yumei revealed that government, through the office of the Vice President, sent 160 metric tonnes of relief maize to Nalolo flood victims.
He further said about 330 metric tonnes of relief maize has also been given to Senanga central flood victims.
And Mr. Yumei expressed hope that the youths that accessed the youth empowerment fund will not have problems in paying back the loans because they have engaged in profitable business ventures.
Mr. Yumei said Senanga residents are anxiously waiting to benefit from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) when the district receives its share of funding.
Lusaka province police commissioner Charity Katanga
Two police officers from Mazabuka Police Station in Southern Province have been arrested and detained after they were found drinking alcohol on duty and while clad in police uniforms.
Southern Province Police Commissioner Charity Katanga disclosed in an interview and named the two cops as Constable Daka and Constable Lundwe respectively, both from Mazabuka Police Station.
Ms. Katanga revealed in an interview with ZANIS in Mazabuka today that the two officers were apprehended by fellow police officers at a bar known as Dias’ Corner situated within the central business district after receiving a tip off from members of the public.
She said police officers that rushed to the bar found the two uniformed officers, who were tasked to provide security at one of the public premises within the township, enjoying themselves.
She said Daka and Lundwe, who she said decided to abandon their point of duty to go drinking, were in possession of two AK 47 riffles which at the time of their arrest were found sprawled on the floor besides them.
Ms. Katanga said the two officers, whom she described as being highly indiscipline, have already been charged with the offence of neglect of duty and drinking on duty.
She said the police command will not condone officers who can abandon their course of duty to go drinking in uniform and while armed.
She suggested that such officers simply needed to be dismissed because they were the ones that were bringing the name of the police into disrepute.
Meanwhile, police in Choma have cornered three dangerous criminals armed with an AK 47 riffle and six rounds of ammunition.
Katanga disclosed that the three, who include two ex-convicts, were arrested on Saturday afternoon after members of the public reported the suspicious looking men to the police.
She named the suspects as Benjamin Likambi aged 37 of house number 61 Dambwa Site and Service in Livingstone and a former murder convict, Muliwana Liswayo of Kalomo aged 28 years.
The third one is a 47 year old Bernard Kanzobya of Gadansono village in Kaoma Districct who once served in prison for unlawful hunting.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba
Anti Corruption Commission has refused to provide updates on the investigation it is carrying out involving Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba because such information is confidential.
This came to light today during a media briefing by the Executive Director of Zambian Voices Chilufya Tayali who questioned the double standard being displayed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
On 28th January, the Zambian Voices wrote to ACC demanding that the nation be updated on the progress made on the investigation involving the two cabinet Ministers.
The Zambian voiced wondered why Former President Rupiah Banda’s investigation was being done in public while that of the two cabinet ministers was confidential.
“If the case has something to do with a Government, it is confidential but if it is for an ordinary citizen or opposition, the accused is tried and convicted in the public, ” they said.
Below is the full press briefing statement read to the media today.
ZAMBIAN VOICE PRESS BRIEFING
17TH FEBRUARY 2013
Rupiah Banda’s Immunity
Debate has ensued on the removal of immunity of our fourth President Dr. Rupiah Banda. The Nation is divided by those supporting the removal of RB’s immunity and those against. As an organization that espouses to bring unity and promote democracy we wish to throw some reflections in the light of our Constitution and Natural Law.
Article 43 (3) of our constitution protects our current and former Presidents from criminal prosecution unless immunity is lifted by National Assembly.
For National Assembly to lift the immunity there must be overwhelming evidence or prema facie case(s) that such a person would be accused of. Such evidence can only come after thorough investigations which might include questioning the accused person.
In other words the article in question does not protect a person from investigations or indeed being questioned.
In the case of RB we think it was not in the interest of Justice to have refused to appear before the Anti Corruption Commission to be questioned, citing this article, because it is only after such investigations that evidence or a prema facie case(s) can be established.
[pullquote]If the case has something to do with a Government, it is confidential but if it is for an ordinary citizen or opposition, the accused is tried and convicted in the public.[/pullquote]
We however note that RB has the right to refuse to be questioned or answer anything to ACC or any other Law enforcers, he is not obliged.
We however, note unprofessionalism and double standing in the operation of the ACC. It was unprofessional for ACC to provide or leak the letter to RB to the media because ACC must conduct its investigations in confidence.
It is also a double stand because on 28th January we wrote to ACC to update us on the corruption case involving Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, we got a response that they would not devour such information to the public because its confidential. This tendency is very common with ACC and we are concerned.
If the case has something to do with a Government, it is confidential but if it is for an ordinary citizen or opposition, the accused is tried and convicted in the public.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me now address those individuals and our fellow Civil Society Organizations that are advocating for the lifting of immunity of our Fourth President Dr. Rupiah Banda to approach this issue with reason and love for our Nation and not personal vendettas or any other ill-intent because what goes around comes back around.
As I have stated earlier, in the interest of Justice and the Rule of Law, for the immunity to be lifted, there must be clear evidence or prema facie case(s) to justify this act.
[pullquote]Currently ACC or any other Law enforcing agency has not laid any case against our former president. We therefore wonder on what basis people are asking to have the immunity lifted.[/pullquote]
Currently ACC or any other Law enforcing agency has not laid any case against our former president. We therefore wonder on what basis people are asking to have the immunity lifted.
It is logical to speculate that these people calling for the removal of immunity have ill-intent to benefit themselves or settle scores.
We call upon Zambians not to be dragged into schemes and personal crusades to embarrass our former leaders without just cause.
State of Governance and democracy in the Country
We would like to commend the Catholic Bishops for their bold pastoral letter on a number of issues concerning governance and state of Democracy in this Country.
We hope more voices we will added to their call. As an organization we totally agree with the Bishops and call upon government to be receptive instead of being defensive.
We are however concerned with the desperation and panic that is being caused by the Patriotic Front in respect to promoting democracy.
[pullquote]While we agree that things in Zambia are not well, calling for sanctions is totally unacceptable because only poor people will suffer for this.[/pullquote]
The desperation is now sending people, especially the opposition party leaders, to actions that would affect the ordinary citizens retrogressively causing more misery.
The petition of the International Community and Commonwealth to suspend Zambia by the opposition in South Africa is extreme at this stage.
While we agree that things in Zambia are not well, calling for sanctions is totally unacceptable because only poor people will suffer for this.
We call upon the opposition to be prudent in the manner they approach these issues, motivated by love of the Nation and not as a shortcut to power.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says the Patriotic Front government has lost the debate in the Provincial conventions on the draft Constitution.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says the Patriotic Front government has lost the debate in the Provincial conventions on the draft Constitution.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, Mr. Hichilema is delighted that delegates at provincial conventions across the country unanimously supported the inclusion of contentious clauses which include the 50 percent plus one threshold among others in the Republican Constitution.
Mr. Hichilema says the aspirations of the Zambians must reign supreme in the ongoing constitution making process.
He has also urged Zambians to protect progressive clauses that will enhance the tenets of democracy in all deliberations.
The UPND leader says Zambians have exposed the PF’s double standards adding that prior to the general elections of 2011, they campaigned on the premise adopting the contentious clauses in the constitution but u-turned after forming.
He says people will allow the PF government to manipulate their submissions to the draft constitution.
Government is planning to connect Zambia’s only port, Mpulungu, in Northern province to Kasama by a railway line in order to enhance the transportation of goods into and outside the country.
Transport and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda said government will soon commence the construction of a railway line which will link Mpulungu to Kasama, branching off from Nseluka area.
Colonel Kaunda said Mpulungu port has a strategic importance to the country as it was an exit and entry point for goods to and from countries in the Great Lakes region.
He said government has realised that besides it being important to the great lakes countries and to Zambia, Mpulungu port was the hub of the economy in the district hence the decision by his ministry to redesign and expand it to international standards.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that the harbour was redesigned and connected to the provincial headquarters by the railway line which he said would be constructed soon.
Col. Kaunda is in Northern province with the traffic enforcement joint operations team to conduct motorized traffic operation in order to educate and punish erring motorists using Zambian roads.
Earlier, Mpulungu District Commissioner, Juliana Chuzu called for the establishment of a Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) office in the district to facilitate the issuance of the drivers’ licenses to motorists.
Ms. Chuzu said Mpulungu was expanding fast economically and the demand for drivers’ licenses was increasing because many residents have bought vehicles for both business and domestic use.
She said vehicle owners and drivers were paying a lot of money to get drivers’ licenses and other documents as they are required to travel to the Kasama RTSA office which is over 200 kilometres (km) away.
Ms. Chuzu noted that there were a lot of motor vehicles in Mpulungu district which are not
registered hence the need for government to urgently establish RTSA offices or introduce mobile services to the area.
She has since commended government through the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) for the construction of rural roads and the rehabilitation of the Mbala-Mpulungu and Kasama road.
She said the unit was doing a good job on the rural roads but appealed to government to equip RRU with adequate equipment so it can continue working on roads without being interrupted.
Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PTUZ) has attributed the low grade twelve pass rates to examination leakages and absenteeism of subject teachers in secondary schools.
Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PTUZ) General Secretary Kangwa Musenga who expressed the union’s disappointment said the low pass rate calls for tough measures in secondary schools to curb leakages and absenteeism.
In a statement released to ZANIS yesterday, Mr. Musenga said PTUZ will soon be submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Education on how to address leakages and absenteeism in order to improve the 2013 pass rate at grade twelve.
He further appealed to government to quickly announce the date for commencement of Salary and conditions of service negotiations as the current collective agreement comes to an end on February 28 this year.
Mr. Musenga said the current delay by government to announce the commencement of negotiations on conditions of service and salaries has brought a lot of insinuations and rumours among teacher.
Government will this year send 160 medical personnel to Eastern Province to supplement the 132 health staff that were sent to the region in 2012.
Deputy Minister of Health, Christopher Mulenga, said Eastern province, like many other parts of Zambia, requires more medical personnel to improve health services delivery.
He said Chadiza district would be priority in receiving the medical personnel because of the new district hospital.
Mr. Mulenga was speaking when he officially opened Chadiza District Hospital in Chadiza today.
He observed that more positions shall be created in the district so that key personnel at the hospital were in place.
“I am happy that Eastern Province received a total of 132 medical personnel in 2012 compared to 54 in 2011, taking the total staffing levels to 2,660 of the 3,095 staff establishment,’’ Mr. Mulenga said.
The Deputy Minister said he was reliably informed that appropriate personnel have been mobilised to operationalize the new hospital although there were still positions that remained unfilled.
Mr. Mulenga also noted that government was increasing medical personnel outputs from existing training institutions through infrastructure improvement, re-opening previously closed training institutions, encouraging Public-Private Partnership and introducting new training
programmes among other interventions.
‘’ We shall soon provide ambulances and utility vehicles to all districts in the country, Chadiza inclusive. Availability of drugs and medical supplies has improved in the country in general and Eastern Province in particular and government shall endeavour to ensure that it improves on the current status even further,’’ he said.
And Chief Mlolo of the Chewa people in Chadiza called on government to employ local people in non skilled positions.
Chief Mlolo, in whose jurisdiction the hospital is located, complained that there was a tendency by government and other institutions of employing even Classified Daily Employees from
outside the district.
The ceremony was attended by chiefs Mlolo, Zingalume, Pembamoyo, Vubwi and Chadiza Members of Parliament Allan Mbewe and Eustarckio Kazonga, including several provincial heads of government department and parastatals.
PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has visited the Latin American Medical School and urged the Zambian Students studying there to work hard and learn as much as possible so that they can effectively contribute to the development of their country when they return home.
The medical school is a brainchild of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and was set up 13 years ago, following a devastating hurricane in 1998 that exposed the need for increased healthcare. There are currently over 14,000 students from around the world who are studying at the institution, out of which 9 are Zambians.
And the Zambian students have requested the Zambian government to facilitate internships for them at several stages in the course of their studies to help them harmonise their studies in Cuba with the practical realities of the Zambian medical environment. The students also requested for the syllabus of the University of Zambia School of Medicine, which they said would help them compare with what they were learning since they were ultimately going to end up working in their country.
The 9 Zambian students at the Latin American Medical School are Kamoza Zimba, Katongo Kawimbe, Derby Tembo, Choolwe Milambo, Beatrice Mubita, Madrine Phiri, Kaoma Musonda, Ntombizine Mudenda and Akende Sitwala.
Mr Kabimba assured the students of government support and urged them to emulate the Cuban spirit of patriotism to their country.
And speaking to the staff at the institution, the Minister of Justice said that Cuba has made tremendous progress in the medical field since the triumph of the revolution, noting that the island has managed to eliminate malaria and cholera and had an impressive doctor to patient ratio, with one doctor per 120 families. Mr Kabimba acknowledged that Zambia has a lot to learn from Cuba in that regard and praised the island’s continued assistance to the southern African country.
Gender Minister Inonge Wina, Western Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, Vice President Guy Scott, Agriculure and Livestock Minister Bob Sichinga, PF Livingstone candidate Lawrence Evans and his wife sign a national anthem before a public rally in Livingstone’s Kasiya ward
VICE President Guy Scott said that opposition parties had been proved to be liars because most of what they used to allege against PF prior to September 2011 such as legalising homosexuality had come out to be untrue.
speaking at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport and at a public rally in Kasiya Ward in Livingstone yesterday, Dr Scott said that opposition parties had been proved to be liars because most of what they used to allege against PF prior to September 2011 has come out to be untrue.
“When PF was in the opposition, MMD and UPND used to say that PF will force men to marry men when they come to power.
Since PF won the elections 16 months ago, I haven’t heard men marrying men. They were even saying that PF will take the old people and throw them into Zambezi River while others were saying that President Michael Sata was dying but all these have come out to be lies,” he said.
Dr Scott said some opposition parties were currently alleging that PF was practicing Satanism which was incorrect.
“The opposition never gets tired and it is now their time to go. They get desperate and they will say anything to frighten you, “he said
Dr Scott urged PF members to keep a clean campaign and ensure that the Livingstone parliamentary seat was delivered to the ruling party.
“Don’t get frustrated before the Election Day on February 28 and start saying that you have already won the elections.
You don’t win elections just because you are Government and hence you will need to work,” he said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Kennedy Sakeni urged the people of Livingstone to turn out in large numbers and vote for Mr Evans.
Mr Sakeni said that PF Government was doing a lot in terms of rolling out economic development programmes in Livingstone and Zambia in general.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Bob Sichinga said the Government was committed to addressing various challenges affecting the local people.
Mr Chenda wondered how a UPND candidate would develop Livingstone when MPs from the opposition party were not allowed to work with Government.
Gender Minister Inonge Wina said the Government had found market for the stone crushers in the city.
Ms Wina said the Government wanted to ensure that women clubs were resuscitated which an opposition party could not manage to do.
Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Nickson Chilangwa, Agriculture and Livingstone Deputy Minister Lackson Kazabu and Southern Province Minister Josephine Limata were among other notable personalities in Dr Scott’s entourage.
PF candidate for Livingstone Constituency Lawrence Evans (middle) kneels to ask for votes in Livingstone’s Kasiya Ward yesterday. On his left is Western Proince Minister Obvious Mwaliteta and his wife on the right
Meanwhile, Veteran politician Daniel Munkombwe has said the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) was the only credible party that can develop Zambia.
Mr. Munkombwe said opposition political parties were not capable of developing the country and were just bent of blaming the government of the day.
He said this is the reason he decided to help the PF in fostering development in the country.
Mr. Munkombwe said he, just like any other person, was free to support any party of his choice adding that he was exercising his democratic right to align himself with the PF.
He added that the MMD has become a stagnant political party while the PF was a progressive party.
Mr. Munkombwe said President Michael Sata and the PF mean well for Zambia.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Did you know that when you compare yourself to others or wish you were like someone else, it’s like saying He just didn’t do a good job? It’s actually like saying, “God, why did You make me subpar? Why did You make me less than?” Realize today, God didn’t make anyone inferior. He didn’t make any person second class. No, you are a masterpiece! You are fully loaded and totally equipped for the race that’s been designed for you!
Today, let your attitude be, “I may not look like someone else or have the job that someone else has. That’s okay. Nobody will ever be a better me. I’m anointed to be me. I’m equipped to be me!” Remember, it’s easy to do what you are equipped to do. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be like someone else. Accept who God made you to be and embrace the good things He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for making me. Thank You for equipping me to fulfill my destiny. Today I choose to focus on what You’ve placed in my hand knowing that as I am faithful to You, You will direct my steps. I bless You and praise You for who You are in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen
Zanaco beat Mbabane Swallows 3-2 today in their CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg game at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Maonga Kabuku put Zanaco ahead in the 4th minute before Roderick Kabwe scored on his début to see the hosts take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Swallows made it 2-1 through Phinda Ginidza in the 48th minute.
Three minutes later Henry Banda extended Zanaco’s lead.
However, Swallows narrowed the margin in the 74th minute through Tony Tsabedze in the 74th minute.
Swallows must beat Zanaco by at least 1-0 in the return leg in a fortnights time to advance to the first round while a draw away will be enough for The Bankers to see the through.
Power Dynamos coach Beston Chambeshi has predicted a tricky encounter when his side face Angola’s Recreativo de Caala in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup match in Kitwe.
Caala and Power clash in the preliminary round, first leg match at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Speaking in a pre-match interview with LT Sports, Chambeshi said Power were ready for the match.
He revealed that his team will play an attacking game as they are targeting to score more goals
“It will be a tricky game. We have not played a team from Angola in a long time and I don’t know their type of football,” Chambeshi said.
“I am happy with the commitment from my players and I believe in our preparations,” he added. ” We need goals so we are going to attack and score more goals in order to reduce pressure as we go to Angola,” Chambeshi added.
Home Minister Edgar Lungu says his Ministry has intensified its quest to revoke diplomatic passports from retired senior government officials and diplomats due to alleged rampant misuse of the privileged passports.
Mr. Lungu has observed that the example of the MMD leader Dr. Nervous Mumba who posses a diplomatic passport but early this week was in South Africa to petition that Zambia be suspended from the Commonwealth, is only a tip of the abuse of the diplomatic passports.
Mr. Lungu has disclosed to Qfm in a telephone interview that his Ministry is currently engaging the protocol office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to ensure that they communicate with the former diplomats to surrender their diplomatic passports.
He charged that government would not be in the right form mind to extend the courtesy of the diplomatic passports to former diplomats who are misusing their diplomatic protocols to denounce the government in foreign lands.
Mufumbwe MP Stephen Masumba has clarified that he has not been dropped from the position of Deputy Minister but merely swapped roles with Sports and Youth Deputy Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu.
Mr. Mubukwanu will now serve as North Western Province in the same capacity.
Some online publications are reporting that President Michael Sata has dropped Mr. Masumba following the Lusaka Magistrate’s ruling that he be put on defence in the case in which he is accused of fraudulently obtaining a NIPA diploma.
But Mr. Masumba has dismissed the allegations that he has been dropped adding that he has merely been transferred to the Ministry of Sports and Youth in the same capacity.
“I’m still Deputy Minister in the PF government, infact am very happy with the transfer because President Sata has taken me to the right Ministry. As a Youth, I feel I can contribute significantly to the cause of the Zambian youth in my new portfolio,” Mr. Masumba said.
He explained in an interview that he takes great exception to the manner in which some online publications are covering him.
Mr. Masumba said some online publications are determined to ensure that his political life came to an abrupt finish.
“They are simply bent on finishing Masumba, even during the funeral for my beloved child, you saw how they covered me and my family. It is unfortunate that they are abusing the media freedoms to further their selfish interests.”
He has appealed to Zambians to disregard anything they read on some online publications because they allegedly peddle lies without any sense of shame.
“For me, I don’t even take this particular publication seriously and I can only urge Zambians not to take it seriously too.”
