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A suspected gassing accident at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi has left one miner dead leaving four others nursing injuries in hospital, mine authorities have confirmed.
The accident occurred yesterday morning but Kansanshi Mine public relations manager, Godfrey Msiska provided vague details on the actual course of the accident at one of the country’s largest Copper mines.
Mr Msiska said in his statement that the victim died while receiving treatment.
Mr Msiska however was quick to mention that relevant government authorities had been informed of the accident.
“Management of Kansanshi Mining plc regrets to inform the public of a suspected gassing accident that occurred at its processing plant on the morning of today (yesterday). Unfortunately, one of the accident victims passed away whilst receiving treatment,” Mr Msiska said.
The accident involved five employees of the mine. The affected employees were immediately taken to Kansanshi mine hospital in Solwezi for treatment.
Three of the accident victims were under observation at the mine hospital and were said to be out of danger.
An evacuation to a medical facility in Ndola was underway for one of the victims receiving treatment at the same hospital.
Mr Msiska said a full investigation had been launched by Kansanshi Mine, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, and other relevant authorities.
A 4 years old boy died on the spot after he was hit by a motor vehicle in Lusaka.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed the incident in the statement in Lusaka , yesterday.
The accident occurred on January 15, 2013 around 17:00 hours along Access road New Kanyama Compound, she said.
She disclosed that the vehicle involved a Toyota Ipsum registration number ABX 9317 which was being driven by Joseph Silwamba aged 44 of unknown house number Garden Compound.
The victim as Levy Kabonde aged 4 of house number 06/05 New Kanyama Compound sustained fatal head injuries and died on the spot. she said.
She revealed that the accident happened as the pedestrian was trying to cross the road when he was hit by the oncoming motor vehicle.
Ms Kanjela said the driver has since been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 161 of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.
The body of the deceased is lying in the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
And Ms Kanjela has further disclosed in the same statement that another 17 year old boy died on the spot after being hit by a Motor Vehicle.
She said the accident occurred on January 15, 2013 around 21:00 hours along Great North Road at 22 miles in Lusaka Province.
Involved was Ngenda Sikwibele aged 24 of Matero Township who was driving a Toyota Carib registration no. ABM 7262.
The Police spokesperson said that the accident happened when the driver lost control of the vehicle hence he hit the said pedestrian.
The driver has since been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 161 of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.
He will appear in court soon. The body of the deceased is in U.T.H Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it will decide whether the printing of ballot papers for the forthcoming Mpongwe and Livingstone by-elections slated for February 28, 2013 will be printed locally or abroad, after the nominations day.
Commission Public Relations Manager Cris Akufuna says the Commission is not in the position to announce where the printing of ballot papers will be done until after the nomination period is over.
He, however, disclosed that the printing of ballot papers would be transparent and that it will involve all stake holders involved.
Mr. Akufuna disclosed to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka yesterday.
The ECZ Spokesperson earlier announced in a press statement to ZANIS that the day for filing in nominations for the two seats is January 31, 2013 including in 25 local by-elections across the country.
The Mpongwe parliamentary seat fell vacant after the resignation of former MMD Member of Parliament (MP) Gabriel Namulambe who has now joined the PF while the Livingstone seat fell vacant after Howard Sikwela resigned from the United Party for National Development, (UPND).
In history, Zambia has been printing ballot papers from South Africa but Republican President Michael Sata soon after coming to power announced that the venture is costly for the nation.
The Head of State said his administration would consider printing the ballot papers using the Zambia Printing Company which is capable of doing the job since it has adequate equipment
FILE: UPND president Hakainde Hichilema arrives at the Lusaka magistrate court where he was given a K30 million bail
Zambia police have continued their pursuit for opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema to institute an arrest. Mr Hichilema is wanted for allegedly issuing disparaging remarks against President Michael Sata during his tour at Lusaka’s Kalikiliki market.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela could neither deny nor confirm whether Mr Hichilema was facing arrest.
“I am still waiting for a full report. So at the moment I cannot give you a comment,” Ms Kanjela said.
But police sources said some officers yesterday visited Mr Hichilema’s residence in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area to effect, an arrest but he was not available.
On Tuesday, officers approached Mr Hichilema who was appearing in a courtroom to serve him with the callout but their attempt was stopped.
Mr Hichilema’s lawyers protested against Police presence in the courtroom to issue the callout, which raised an exchange of words between the parties.
Mr Hichilema was at the time appearing for charges of conveying false news.
Meanwhile, the Lusaka magistrate’s court has officially temporarily halted the criminal proceedings against opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema following an order granted to him by the Supreme Court.
In the criminal matters Hichilema is facing one count of publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public.
When the matter came up for continued trial yesterday before chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda, defense lawyers applied to have the matter stayed in view of the order by the Supreme Court which stated that their client’s criminal proceedings be stayed.
“I now halt the criminal matters against the accused person following the order by the Supreme Court to do so pending further determination by the higher court,” said the chief resident magistrate.
Supreme Court judge, Munyinda Wanki during the week directed that the criminal proceedings against Hachilema be stayed pending determination of the Constitutional issues currently before the High Court.
Judge Wanki has since set January 24 this year as the date for hearing of the application on behalf of Mr Hichilema to set aside judgment.
Through his lawyers, Hichilema had applied before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda for Constitutional reference of the indictment for the determination of the Constitutionality of the said provision of the penal code but magistrate Banda refused the application.
Hichilema on January 11, 2013 however appealed to the High Court asking it to stay the criminal proceedings against him but the High Court declined the application without stating reasons.
Hichilema further decided to take his matter to the Supreme Court where he now had been granted an injunction.
The matter was adjourned to February 15, 2013 for continued trial.
Induna Imandi reading the Policy statement over the mentioning of the Litunga sending Induna’s to Constitution Convention on ZNBC and refutes the statement that at no time did they push in a late entry request to participation in the Provincial Constitution Convention while other indunas listens
The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has refuted reports that it pushed in a late entry to participate in the ongoing Western province constitution convention.
The Kuta told ZANIS in Limulunga today that the position of the Barotse Royal Establishment that it would not take part in the constitution making process still stands.
Induna Kalonga explained that the BRE sent three Indunas to the ongoing provincial convention yesterday to go and inform the technical committee that the BRE’s stance on the issue still remained the same.
“We are still consulting our district Kutas and other stakeholders over the same issue before a final policy statement is given to the government and the Western provincial administration was advised accordingly,” he explained.
[pullquote]“We are still consulting our district Kutas and other stakeholders over the same issue before a final policy statement is given to the government and the Western provincial administration was advised accordingly,” he explained.[/pullquote]
Induna Kalonga said the BRE was not happy with some media reports suggesting that the Litunga had sent three Indunas to represent him at the convention.
The Induna has since demanded for a retraction adding that there was need for journalists to verify their facts before writing stories.
He said the Litunga can never be quoted in any news story but his spokesperson the Ngambela or any Induna representing the BRE.
The constitution convention is being held at Mongu College of Education and has attracted many stakeholders from all the districts in the province.
FILE: President Michael Sata talks to Zulu Burrow Consultant Engineer Levy Zulu, when the President inspected the Chiawa-Chirundu road construction
Zambia’s President Michael Sata has said that the PF Government will soon launch the Pave Zambia 2000, which is the first of its kind and scale in Zambia.
According to the statement released to the media by State House, the President said that the central aim of Pave Zambia 2000 project will be employment creation and full repair of major urban roads countrywide.
President Sata said that the Government will this year accelerate the implementation of the industrialization and job creation strategy.
The president said that the plan will be aimed aimed at transforming the economy with the centre of attention being on sectors with high employment creation potential such as agriculture, tourism, construction and manufacturing.
“These sectors have the highest requirement for labour and labour intensive projects as well as the potential to be highly competitive and thus encourage growth, employment, value addition and ultimately expand the country’s economic base,” the Head of State said.
The project will encompasses segmented paving and cobbles of approximately 2000 kilometers of urban roads which are in poor condition requiring rehabilitation in all the 10 provinces.
President Sata underscored his Government’s desire and resolve to improve the road infrastructure through the implementation of the on-going Link Zambia 8000 road project in the country as enshrined in the PF manifesto.
The President further said that, to date, about 12,850 road sector jobs have been created countrywide.
The Head of State expressed confidence that his administration was on course in implementing campaign promises.
President Sata reiterated the Government’s commitment to creating a better Zambia for all by providing inspirational and visionary leadership to the nation and promoting inclusive governance.
Gemfields plc, the company that operates the Kagem emerald mine (“Kagem”) in Lufwanyama, has reiterated its commitment to the government and people of Zambia, pledging to continue to increase the benefit that the country receives from its gemstone resources.
Kagem, which is 25% owned by the Government of Zambia, produces approximately 20% of the world’s global rough emerald supply, with worldwide production estimated at US$500 million (ZMW2.6 billion) per year.
The company is pioneering a new approach to gemstone mining that integrates world-class mining with a strong marketing strategy and a commitment to local value addition in areas of core competence.
The approach has already turned Kagem around, from a long history of loss making to one where it has been able to increase achievable prices on the global markets almost tenfold and where it has been able to contribute more than ZMW687 million to Zambia’s direct foreign earnings over the past three years alone. All these earnings have been repatriated back to Zambia, where they have been used to settle old debts inherited from the previous management and continually reinvest in the Kagem mine and the global marketing of Zambian emeralds.
“Gemfields’ goal is to lead the way in terms of coloured gemstone exploration, mining, operational efficiency and global marketing, all the while ensuring that the benefits are fairly distributed among all our various business partners, investors and local stakeholders,” explained Chief Executive Officer Ian Harebottle.
Gemfields, a London-listed coloured gemstone mining company, acquired a 75% stake in the then bankrupt Kagem in 2008, with the remaining 25% being held by the Government of Zambia on behalf of the Zambian people.
The company is committed to the long-term re-capitalisation of the Kagem mine, and after an investment in excess of ZMW550 million, it continues to re-invest around ZMW150 million into the mine each year. This policy has been directly responsible for Kagem’s success in recent years, ensuring that Kagem – and Zambia as a nation – is increasingly recognised as a global leader in the coloured gemstone industry, and allowing Kagem to become the single largest emerald industry contributor to Zambia’s national economy, despite it being just one of Zambia’s numerous registered emerald producers and exporters.
Kagem employs approximately 650 people in Zambia, including permanent staff and contractors, of which only 46 or 7% are expatriates – all of whom hold valid and approved work permits. Kagem employees rank among the highest paid employees in the emerald industry in Zambia, with even the lowest paid permanent employees receiving in excess of ZMW2,200 per month including benefits.Each employee additionally receives production bonuses when defined thresholds are met.
Ends
“Gemfields remains committed to turning the coloured gemstone business into a transparent market allowing investors, local communities and national economies to benefit from our operations and expertise. Gemfields believes in and sees significant benefit in being fully transparent in all our dealings and partnerships. Full disclosure of information and transparency in our business process is a crucial factor of our success. Our mining ethics go beyond compliance as we aim to set new standards within this sector,” added Mr Harebottle.
About Gemfields plc
Gemfields plc is a leading gemstone miner listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ‘GEM’). In addition to the Kagem emerald mine, Gemfields has a 50 percent interest in the Kariba amethyst mine in Zambia. The company also owns controlling stakes in highly prospective ruby deposits in Mozambique and various licenses in Madagascar including ruby, emerald and sapphires deposits.
In July 2009 Gemfields commenced a formal auction programme for its Zambian emeralds.
Mwense district has been hit with shortage of mealie meal for the past one week now.
Some traders talked to by ZANIS in the area attributed the shortage of the commodity to failure by millers in Mansa to supply them at reduced prices.
Speaking on behalf of traders, Geshom Chanda said millers in Mansa have stopped selling meali meal as they are still negotiating on government directive to sell the commodity at reduced prices.
Mr. Chanda said currently, the traders have been ordering a 25 Kilogramme bag of breakfast and roller meal at KR49 and KR45 rebased respectively.
He said unless the millers reduce the wholesale price, shortage of the commodity in the area will continue because traders will not order the mealie meal for fear of running their business at a loss.
And in a telephone interview with ZANIS, APG Mansa milling manager Oscar Alikuleti said the company has reduced the price of the commodity to KR49 and KR40 rebased for breakfast and roller meal respectively.
Mwense District Commissioner (DC) Victor Kasuba said businessmen who will not comply with the president’s directive to reduce mealie meal prices risk having their licenses revoked
And Chadiza residents have complained over high mealie meal prices in the area. Chadiza District Commissioner Paul Phiri has urged consumers of mealie meal in the area not to complain much about the unreduced prices of the commodity.
The irate residents who stormed ZANIS offices in Chadiza said they were still buying the commodity at KR6O and KR65 despite the directives from the Republican President to have the prices reduced country wide.
The residents have since appealed to government to intervene in the matter and control the prices of mealie meal.
But Chadiza District Commissioner Paul Phiri said the price of the commodity was just okay because there were no millers in Eastern Province adding that whole sellers got the mealie meal from Lusaka and that they needed to make profit as well.
Mr. Phiri was however, quick to mention that traders should not exaggerate the prices to make abnormal profits because of not having millers in the region.
He said government would continue to monitor the mealie meal situation and if need arises to control the price then his office will not hesitate to move in.
In another development the District Commissioner has confirmed that the district has received some money to upgrade certain schools in the area.
He said not all schools have been catered for but that priority would be given to those schools that were in a deplorable state.
Mr. Phiri also assured those farmers that have not yet received their fertilizers due to the poor states of the roads to remain calm as government was doing everything possible to make sure that farmers receive their fertilizer.
Last week, Headman Ndondela, Ackim Banda complained about the dilapidated infrastructure at Kalemba basic school and also the luck of bore holes in the area.
Mr. Banda also complained that a number of farmers have not received their fertilizer and wondered how the fertilizer was going to be distributed in the area as the roads were impassable.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Kalusha Bwalya
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya says defender Stopila Sunzu who is attending trials at English side Reading will join Zambia at their Africa Cup base in Nelspruit by Friday.
Sunzu left South Africa to attend trials at Reading just a week before Zambia commence their campaign to retain the Africa Cup title when they face Ethiopia in the two teams opening Group C fixture.
Kalusha told Reuters on Tuesday that FAZ, TP Mazembe where Sunzu plays, and Reading had agreed that the defender should rejoin Chipolopolo by Friday.
“He will have enough time to have recovered from the journey by the time we play our first game,” he said.
“We have agreed with Reading, his club TP Mazembe and ourselves that he takes up this chance. Reading were quite insistent on seeing him so it is a good sign,” Kalusha added.
“The Zambia national team will always be there but opportunities like this do not come around often in a player’s career so we were happy to let him go,” the Zambia legend stated.
Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo pose for a photo with Northern Province Minister Col. Gerry Chanda relaxing at Kalambo falls in Mbala district of Northern Province
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Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo with a ZNBC news caster Patricia Pumulo relaxing at Ndole bay after a busy schedule in Nsama district of Northern Province
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Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo with leads a team of experts on the Kasaba bay project in Nsama district of Northern Province
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Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo with chimbamilonga area member of parliament Hastings Chansa at Nkamba bay in Nsama district of Northern Province
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Part of the remaining infrastructure at Kasaba bay along the shows of Lake Tanganyika in Nsama district of Northern Province yesterday. The place is famous for the beautiful attractions the area is endowed with
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Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo having a feel of the famous Lake Tanganyika during her tour of Kasaba bay in Nsama district of Northern Province
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Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo with National Arts Council Chairperson Mulenga Kapwepwe having a feel of the famous Lake Tanganyika during her tour of Kasaba bay in Nsama district of Northern Province yesterday. The Minister is impressed with the tourist attractions the area is endowed with
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Senior chief Speaking the Mkushi-Luano Boundaries forum
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Nalolo constituency councillors listens attentively during the Kwacha rebasing sensitisation workshop
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Nalolo constituency councillors listens attentively during the Kwacha rebasing sensitisation workshop
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Inonge Wina Gender and Child Development Minister displays the poster of Rebased new currency as she explains to the councillor while ZANACO Mongu branch manager Abanny Sikabalu stands next during the Kwacha rebasing sensitisation workshop
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Inonge Wina Gender and Child Development Minister (R)sited pose for the photo with Nalolo constituency councillors after the Kwacha rebasing sensitisation workshop
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Inonge Wina Gender and Child Development Minister (R)sited pose for the photo with Nalolo constituency councillors after the Kwacha rebasing sensitisation workshop
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Lusaka Police Chief Joyce Kasosa shows journalists (not in picture) the counterfeit Always sanitary pads that were confiscated in Lusaka
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Lusaka Police Chief Joyce Kasosa shows journalists (not in picture) the counterfeit Always sanitary pads that were confiscated in Lusaka
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Retailers in Kasama are still selling mealie meal above the K50000, KR50 agreed upon by Government and Millers. Kasama milling 25kg bag of breakfast is selling at K65000, KR65 while roller meal is selling at K46000, KR 46
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Retailers in Kasama are still selling mealie meal above the K50000, KR50 agreed upon by Government and Millers. Kasama milling 25kg bag of breakfast is selling at K65000, KR65 while roller meal is selling at K46000, KR 46
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More Lusaka Floods
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Left to right Chiefs Chitina, Kaundula, chikupili, Mboroma and Mulungwe at the Mkushi-Luano Boundaries meeting in Old Mkushi Kaundula, chikupili, Mboroma and Mulungwe at the Mkushi-Luano Boundaries meeting in Old Mkushi
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Road Development Agency ( RDA) has alocated 1.3 Billion Kwacha (un rebased currency) for the rehabilitation and grading of the Kashikishi- Lunchinda road in Luapula Province and the works on the road has since been started. Here, Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya leading Provincsil officers from RDA,Rural Roads Unit and Physcal Planning Unit when he inspected the project.
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Deputy minister in the Office of the Vice-President Harry Kalaba visits a one week old baby boy in the childrens’ ward at Zambezi district hospital as a nurse,Kendra Mulikita (r) looks
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Deputy minister in the Office of the Vice-President Harry Kalaba with Zambezi district commissioner Catherine Mukuma and Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) cross the Mighty Zambezi river on the Chinyingi suspension bridge in senior chief Ndungu’s area
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Deputy minister in the Office of the Vice-President Harry Kalaba with Zambezi district commissioner Catherine Mukuma and Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) cross the Mighty Zambezi river on the Chinyingi suspension bridge in senior chief Ndungu’s areaKalomo District Commissioner, Omar Musanje looks at the washed-away bridge in the outskirts of Kalomo as affected villagers look-on
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Defense minister Geoffrey Mwamba poses with military personel at Staff College in Lusaka after the official opening of the 16th command and staff course
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Defense minister Geoffrey Mwamba greets Staff College Regimental Segent Major Class One Prince Malinga on arrival at the Staff College in Lusaka for the official opening of the 16th command and staff course
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Defense minister Geoffrey Mwamba inspects a parade on arrival at the Staff College in Lusaka for the official opening of the 16th command and staff course
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Lusaka District Commissioner , Ashel Kampengele inspecting mealie-meal prizes at Emah Kabwe shop in Lusaka’s Chilenje cmpound
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Lusaka District Commissioner , Ashel Kampengele inspecting mealie-meal prizes at Emah Kabwe shop in Lusaka’s Chilenje cmpound
Government has said that the good turn-out in the western province constitution provincial convention is a true reflection that the people in that region are keen to be part of the country’s development agenda which also includes the constitution making process.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said that government wants the people of western province to be part of the country’s development process and that the ruling party remains committed to ensuring that development takes place in the province.
Mr. Kabimba has noted that the spontaneous reaction shown at the provincial convention organized by the technical committee on drafting the constitution could also be an indication that the people in western province appreciate the development efforts that the PF government continues to make.
Mr. Kabimba in an interview with QFM News has cited the pending construction of a football stadium and construction of the long awaited Mongu-Kalabo road as one of the many development programmes that the government is keen to undertake in western province.
The minister who is also PF Secretary General has explained that the ruling party remains committed to ensuring that development is rolled out to all the parts of the country.
Last year some Barotseland Freedom Movement activists tore copies of the draft constitution as a way of disowning the constitution making process.
OVER 100 hectares of maize and vegetable fields have been destroyed by Sulphur Dioxide emitted from Chambeshi Copper Smelter along the Kitwe-Chingola roads on the Copperbelt.
The affected crops include beans, groundnuts, maize in early stage, sweet potatoes and pumpkin plants among others.
The crops have dried beyond redemption to the dismay of the farmers who have been left with no food especially relish as they depend on the affected vegetables.
And the affected farmers have appealed to government to strictly compel the Chinese owned Copper Smelter to compensate them for their expense on the destroyed crops.
The farmers also appealed on government to compel the company to curb the emission of Sulphur Dioxide, which is locally called as ‘ Senta’ by the local community , so that farmers around the Copper Smelting Company can still continue with their agriculture activities.
And Brian Bwalya, one of the affected farmers said the investment that has been made by Chambeshi Copper Smelter in the area will not be useful if it will destroy agriculture which is the main livelihood of the people in the area.
Mr. Bwalya also complained that the Sulphur dioxide being emitted was a health hazard to the people especially the children.
He further observed that the company was not employing people from the area but was instead recruiting people from outside the district.
But when contacted for a comment, Chambeshi Copper Smelter manager for Environment, safety and Health Department Robison Mubita said the company was aware of the damage to the crop but was still assessing it to determine whether the damage was caused by Sulphur Dioxide or the poor soil.
The Commuters’ Rights Association of Zambia has called on the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to ensure there is sanity on the Zambian roads.
Commuters Rights Association of Zambia President Aaron Kamuti stated that it is cardinal that the RTSA continue being effective in maintaining order on the roads across the country.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kamuti observed in an interview in Lusaka, today, with that he expects absolute change in behaviour from both the motorists and the Law Enforcement Agencies responsible.
He further implored commuters of public busses to report cases of abuse from the Public Service Drivers.
Mr. Kamuti said that as the Association it wants to see the rights of commuters across the country upheld by all.
He lamented that in the past there have been rampant cases of Public Service drivers harassing travelers.
Mr. Kamuti commended Transport and Communications Deputy Minister Colonel Panji Kaunda for taking it upon himself to also be part of RTSA in carrying out its operations of impounding erring motorists.
THE Supreme Court has stayed criminal proceedings against opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Supreme Court judge Munyinda Wanki directed yesterday that the criminal proceedings against Mr Hachilema be stayed pending determination of the Constitutional issues currently before the High Court.
This is means that the criminal proceedings in which Mr Hachilema is facing before the magistrate’s court that were supposed to go for commencement of trial today will not go ahead.
Judge Wanki has since set January 24 this year as the date for hearing of the application on behalf of Mr Hichilema to set aside judgment.
“It is hereby ordered and directed that the criminal proceedings against the appellant be and is hereby stayed pending determination of the matter inter parte. It is further ordered that this application shall be heard inter parte on 24 January 2013 on the hearing of application on the part of the applicant to set aside the judgment” Judge Wanki said.
Mr Hichilema is in this matter is charged with publication of false news contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Through his lawyers he applied before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda for Constitutional reference of the indictment for the determination of the Constitutionality of the said provision of the penal code but Magistrate Banda refused the application.
Mr Hichilema on January 11, 2013 however appealed to the High Court asking it to stay the criminal proceedings against him but the High Court declined the application without stating reasons.
In another development, a witness yesterday told the Lusaka magistrate’s court that former Mines minister Maxwell and his Permanent Secretary Godwin Beene got annoyed when he informed them that there was overlapping of mining licenses issues to Zhongui International Mining Industry Group Limited and two others.
Gerald Chilumbu 54 Chief mining engineer in the ministry of Mines told the court that Mwale and Beene got upset when he informed them after the mining advisory committee meeting he chaired on June 2, 2011 that there was overlapping of mining licenses issues to Zhuo, Kelvin Mulumbwa and Alfred Malunga.
He said that Zhongui was issued with the license after Kelvin Mulumbwa and Alfred Malunga had already been issued with licenses and the same resulted in overlapping.
This is in a matter in which Mwale is facing two counts of abuse of authority and receiving property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Mwale is jointly charged with Zhongui International Mining Industry Group Limited.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has reiterated that the PF government is determined to ensure that Zambian language do not become extinct.
Mr. Kabimba said government is concerned that the use of local languages is almost becoming nonexistent.
“We have to address this imbalance. As the PF, we are determined to see to it that we eliminate the use of English as a language of instructions in our schools and replace it with our own Zambian languages,” Mr. Kabimba said.
Mr. Kabimba who is also PF Secretary General stated that the colonial masters have continued using foreign languages such as English to oppress the Africans.
[pullquote]“We have to address this imbalance. As the PF, we are determined to see to it that we eliminate the use of English as a language of instructions in our schools and replace it with our own Zambian languages,” Mr. Kabimba said.[/pullquote]
He was speaking Tuesday evening during a live television programme on ZNBC TV discussing the use of Zambian languages in schools.
“What we have is a colonial hangover. If you remember in 1884 during the Berlin Conference to partition Africa, European countries decided to divide Africa especially Sub Saharan Africa. Some African countries were turned into English speaking nations, others became French speaking while countries like Mozambique were turned into Portuguese speaking countries. This was done in order to manage us as Africans.”
He added, “They had to impose this English language on our forefathers but what is shocking is that Zambian intellectuals even those at University have not raised this question that the English language has been used as a tool of captivity.”
Mr. Kabimba said the PF government finds it unacceptable that some private schools in Zambia today do not teach local languages.
On the same programme, Zambia National Union of Teachers Director for Research Christopher Yakulanda welcomed the PF government’s intention to introduce a policy that will promote local languages as the only medium of instruction in schools.
Mr. Yakulanda said the teaching fraternity in Zambia stands ready to work with the PF government in ensuring that the policy is developed.
[pullquote]“There is evidence to show that it is easier to learn in local languages than foreign languages. This is a bold move by the government and we support it,” Dr. Mwansa said.[/pullquote]
“The use of local languages worked before in this country and we believe it can still work. We just need to agree on the standardization of the local languages so that it doesn’t confuse the learner,” Mr. Yakulanda said.
And UNZA Lecturer in the Department of Language and Social Sciences Education from the School of Education Dr. Joseph Mwansa said teaching early leaners using their home languages improves their thinking and learning abilities.
“There is evidence to show that it is easier to learn in local languages than foreign languages. This is a bold move by the government and we support it,” Dr. Mwansa said.
He however observed that need for the Ministry of Education to ensure that it encourages student teachers to take up local languages during their training.
“We have regrettably noted that even at colleges, local languages are shunned by our teachers, there is a heavy bias towards training to teach English and not the local languages.”
