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REPUBLICAN Vice President Guy Scott and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yu Xzao admire construction works at the Lusaka Stadium
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VICE President Guy Scott with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yu Xzao when he toured the Lusaka Stadium
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VICE President Guy Scott joins Patriotic Front Cadres in dancing before touring the Lusaka Stadium on Tuesday
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FINANCE and National Planning Deputy Minister and also Matero Member of Parliament, Miles Sampa, admiring the construction works going on at the Lusaka Stadium
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THE $94 million Lusaka Stadium under construction, with a 50, 000 sitting capacity, would be ready by January 2014
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THE $94 million Lusaka Stadium under construction, with a 50, 000 sitting capacity, would be ready by January 2014
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THE $94 million Lusaka Stadium under construction, with a 50, 000 sitting capacity, would be ready by January 2014
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Firsrt Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with members of the Alchemy Women in Leadership (l-r) Pixie Yangailo, Kondwa Sakala-Chibiya, Jaccqueline Folotiya and Beatrice Nkanza shortly after she was interviewed by the Alchemist for the Alchemy Women in Leadership magazine -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Firsrt Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with members of the Alchemy Women in Leadership (l-r) Pixie Yangailo, Kondwa Sakala-Chibiya, Jaccqueline Folotiya and Beatrice Nkanza shortly after she was interviewed by the Alchemist for the Alchemy Women in Leadership magazine -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Firsrt Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with members of the Alchemy Women in Leadership at State House. This was after she was interviewed by the Alchemist for the Alchemy Women in Leadership magazine on Jan 11,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema is accompanied by opposition his MMD counterpart Nevers Mumba as he left Woodlands police station
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Police officers (right) try to control suspected riotous UPND cadres at Woodlands police station in Lusaka
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Police officers try to prevent suspected UPND cadres from entering Woodlands police station in Lusaka
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A plain clothes police officer bleeds from a head injury after he was attacked by suspected UPND cadres at Woodlands police station
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A plain clothes police officer bleeds from a head injury after he was attacked by suspected UPND cadres at Woodlands police station
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Construction of a filling station and complex under construction in Luanshya
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Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda (centre) and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe (grey suit having a glimpse of the truck Registration Number ABV9630 which left 6 people dead and 24 injured after the driver lost control and hit in a stationed vehicle and building belonging to Map business in Mpulungu
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Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda (centre) and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe (grey suit) having a glimpse of the truck Registration Number ABV9630 which left 6 people dead and 24 injured after the driver lost control and hit in a stationed vehicle and building belonging to Map business in Mpulungu
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Mangled Truck Registration Number which left 6 people dead and injured after the driver lost control of the vehicle in Mpulungu on Sunday
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Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda (centre) and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe (grey suit) at the accident scene of the truck Registration Number ABV9630 which left 6 people dead and 24 injured after the driver lost control and hit in a stationed vehicle and building belonging to Map business in Mpulungu
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The people have got no area to dump rubbish and therefore dump rubbish near the side of the Ndola road. This is supposed to be the job for the council.Feeder roads also are blocked with rubbish in most areas of Wusakile
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The people have got no area to dump rubbish and therefore dump rubbish near the side of Ndola road. This supposed to be the job for the council.Feeder roads also are blocked with rubbish in most areas of Wusakile
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The people have got no area to dump rubbish and therefore dump rubbish near the side of Ndola road. This supposed to be the job for the council.Feeder roads also are blocked with rubbish in most areas of Wusakile
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Hon Richard Musukwa accompanied by small scale miners association of Zambia president Mr Simon Njovu in Wusakile constituency sensitizing the people on re-based kwacha and also clearing waste dumps on behalf of the people of Wusakile
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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba washing his hands during the tour of Saturday Market in Chipata
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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba(centre) with Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu (left) checking one of the bins during the tour of Kapata Market in Chipata yesterday. Picture By Julius Phiri
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Mkushi DC Christopher Chibuye(right with refuse bag), joins Council workers at a garbage site in Itala compound
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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba (centre) talking to Acting Chipata Town Clerk Mwape Katemwe and Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu during the tour of Kapata Market in Chipata
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A bright future can be seen spilling out of these children’s eyes as the clap in aprreciation of the donation of books and desks from the Rotary club of Nkwazi
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Rotary Club past President makes an official handover of the desks and books to the head teacher of Mango Groove community School
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The classrom block’s roof is too low for the average person as one has to stoop to stand under the assemblage of corrugated iron sheets as demonstrated by Mango groove head teacher.
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Mamgo Grove head teacher shows the Rotary Club members and the press some of the shoddily built classrooms that are apparently still in use
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Soccer Fans at the Stadium
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Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili at the Soccer Match
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Vice President Guy Scott at the soccer Game between Zambia and Norway
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Government and FAZ officials at the Soccer Stadium in Ndola
Collins Mbesuma got the biggest cheer from local crowds on Thursday afternoon in Nelspruit during Zambia’s training game against African Academy of Pretoria.
The crowd at Zambia’s training venue Ka Nyamazane Stadium outside Nelspruit cheered Mbesuma’s every attacking foray as the striker continues on his Zambia rebound after ending his high profile 10-month exile in November.
Mbesuma, who did not score in Zambia’s 3-0 win, brought out the best out of the Academy goalkeeper and saw another effort deflected out on the inside of the goalpost.
The defending champions beat African Academy thanks to goals from Emmanuel Mayuka, Rainford Kalaba and Jonas Sakuwaha.
Zambia will have one training session on Friday afternoon but will have to attend to administrative issues earlier in the morning with CAF.
Meanwhile, Nigeria arrived on Thursday morning bringing to three the number of Group C teams to touch down in Nelspruit over the last two weeks.
They headed to their secluded camp at Ingwenyama Country Club just northwest outside Nelspruit.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia are due to land on Friday afternoon after leaving Addis Ababa in the morning.
And Burkina Faso were first to arrive a week, Thursday before Zambia joined them on January 13.
The Burkinabe’s on Thursday also played their second friendly against Swaziland whom they beat 3-0 at the Puma’s rugby ground in Nelspruit.
Burkina Faso’s win comes just four days after beating Swaziland 3-1 in another friendly at Mbombela Stadium.
Zambia has dropped five places on the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday morning.
The African champions slipped from last month’s position 34 to 39 although they have maintained 5th place on the continent.
Prior to the January ranking, Zambia had lost to Angola and Tanzania while forcing draws against Morocco and Norway in the 2013 Africa Cup warm-up matches.
On the continental chart, Zambia is behind Cote d’vore, Algeria,Mali and Ghana
Zesco United have confirmed Tenant Chembo as their interim head coach for the next six months following the resignation of Wedson Nyirenda.
Club chairman Kenneth Muteto confirmed the elevation of Chembe who was Nyirenda’s deputy.
During a media briefing held in Ndola on Thursday, Muteto also announced the appointment of Alfred Lupiya as assistant coach.
“The club executive met and resolved to confirm the appointment of Mr. Tenant Chembo as acting head coach for the next six months after which the club executive will meet to review the situation,” he said.
“Furthermore, I would like to announce that the club has appointed Alfred Lupiya as assistant coach while Stephen Mwansa will continue as goalkeeping coach,” Muteto added.
“Tenant and his technical staff have the full backing of the club executive and have confidence in the team and necessary resources to challenge for honors and as a club we will accept nothing less,” he said.
Chembo has previously coached Lime Hotspurs and Kalewa
MMD’s Mafinga Member of Parliament Catherine Namugala has filed an injunction restraining her party from expelling her.
Ms Namugala who is the chairperson for women’s affairs also wants the court to declare null and void the appointment of MMD Senga MP Kapembwa Simbao as acting national secretary following the expulsion of Richard Kachingwe, who was the party’s national secretary.
She sued Mr Simbao as a first defendant in his own capacity and Mr Simbao as a second defendant on behalf of the MMD in his capacity as acting national secretary.
Ms Namugala further wanted the court to declare whether Mr Simbao’s appointment as acting national secretary was legitimately done and also nullify the proceedings of the meeting that appointed Mr Simbao because it failed to form a quorum
Ms Namugala contested in an injunction filed before the Lusaka High Court principal registry that she was still a member of the troubled opposition party.
She stated that in 2011 the MMD held a convention which elected all National Executive Committee (NEC) members on which its then national secretary, Major Kachingwe was elected but that his subsequent replacement by Mr Simbao was rejected.
She said that on December 3 2012, Mr Simbao was purportedly adopted by MMD leader, Nevers Mumba’s group in the NEC despite the grouping not forming a quorum of half of the NEC members of 64 as required by the party guidelines.
Ms Namugala said that the Court should therefore declare that Mr Simbao’s appointment was null and void.
She said that on December 24 2012, Mr Simbao wrote her a letter of disciplinary action in which he purported to act in pursuant to the powers vested under Article 46 (I) and (3) of the party constitution when he was not national secretary or deputy national secretary elected by the party convention.
Ms Namugala said the MMD purported to charge her with two offences of which she exculpated herself to Mr Simbao despite being acting national secretary a position she described as illegitimate and unconstitutional.
She said that Mr Simbao and MMD through Dr Mumba had hatched a plan to expel legitimate members including her for standing up to defend the party constitution.
Judge Fulgeance Chisanga who is handling the matter has since set January 23, 2013 as the date for inter-parte hearing.
Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda has given an ultimatum to millers and retailers dealing in maize meal in Northern province up to Saturday 19 to reduced the price of the commodity or have their trading license revoked.
Colonel Chanda told ZANIS in press briefing yesterday that it has come to the light of the government that some millers in the area have defied the presidential directive of reducing the mealie meal price to KR50 break fast and KR45 roller meal.
He said millers in Kasama should comply and reduce the prices as per directive because Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has sold sufficient maize grain to them.
Col Chanda also disclosed that FRA has begun selling maize grain to people in the area as a measure to avert maize meal shortages in the province.
He however, said a family is only allowed to buy five bags of maize grain at FRA storage rooms.
However, Col Chanda was quick to caution people who may abuse the service that the law shall not take kindly to anyone found disturbing government’s move aimed at stopping mealie meal shortage in the area..
And a ZANIS survey carried out in Kasama revealed that mealie meali at Shoprite checkers was that breakfast meal has been reduced to KR49, at Kasama milling break fast was at KR60 and GMB break fast was still above KR50.
Northern Province experienced maize meal shortage in the past three weeks.
A 52 – year – old patient who was left unattended to by Management at Mazabuka district hospital for a period of five days has died.
Benson Mwiinga a resident of Chaanga Chaanga area in Mazabuka township died last night in Mazabuka district hospitala and his body is lying in the hospital mortuary.
District Commissioner Eugene Munyama confirmed the death of Mwiinga in an interview with ZANIS this morning.
Mwiinga was admitted to the hospital last week on Thursday but management at the institution decided to abandon and leave Mwiinga who was bed ridden under lock and key in an isolation room within the male ward for five days without rendering any form of medical attention.
He was however found on Monday this week in the isolation ward by Mr Munyama who quickly rushed to the hospital after a relative complained to him at his office that his relative was locked in a room without being given medicine, food and water and was lying on the floor underneath a bed, naked and gasping.
Government has since sent a team of experts from the provincial medical office led by Dr Simon Mutembo to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Late Mwiinga was alleged to have been neglected by Mazabuka district nurses on duty at the time of his admission to the health institution, a situation that has sparked planned protest by district residents.
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has called for the transformation in the role of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) from not only a maize storage agency but to also be a subsidiary milling company.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview yesterday, ZACA Executive Director Muyunda Ililonga said there is need for the role of FRA to be revised so that it can compete with private millers in order to guarantee that consumers are not exploited.
Mr. Muyunda stated that if FRA had a milling department, millers would not take advantage of consumers by hiking mealie meal prices, thereby making the staple food affordable to the average Zambian.
He noted that Zambia would not be the first country to do this as a neighbouring country, South Africa already has a milling Plant under its Ministry of Trade, and has thus been able to avoid consumer exploitation by millers.
Mr. Muyunda commended government for instructing FRA to sale maize directly to households in some places where millers have not yet reduced mealie meal prices.
He stated that government had a custodial duty to protect its citizens from any form of exploitation by profit-driven private companies.
Mr. Muyunda noted that in a situation created by millers, where most people were not able to afford the staple food, government had an overriding role to step in and make interventions.
He explained that the rise in food prices is not peculiar to Zambia alone, but is a global problem.
Mr. Muyunda further explained that various governments have since put different measures to ensure the availability of food to their citizens, adding that what the Zambian government has done is only normal.
He said government’s intervention in mealie meal prices, should be a lesson to everyone, that even in the most capitalist market, some things must still be controlled by government.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Gwembe Constituency Member of Parliament, Brian Ntundu has cautioned UPND councilors in Gwembe against frustrating government’s developmental agenda.
Mr Ntundu observed that UPND councilors are the majority in Gwembe constituency and cautioned them against politicizing government’s developmental projects in the district.
He was speaking yesterday during a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) stakeholders meeting held at Munyumbwe Civic Centre.
Mr Ntundu said there is need to support the Patriotic Front government so that its developmental agenda for the district succeeds.
He said as member of parliament, he sees nothing wrong in supporting the government of the day adding that MPs draw government salaries and allowances.
“It is illogical for MPs not to work with government because it is the same government that pays them salaries and fuel allowances for them to carryout their duties” he said.
The MP explained that the PF government is there to deliver to the people of Zambia and called on all Zambians to support government in implementing programmes.
Mr Ntundu said the 2013 budget is the best so far as it is activity based.
He said the PF government is committed to adjusting the CDF upwards to ensure that Zambians plan and implement their localized developmental projects.
The MP who spoke fondly and highly of President Sata said politics should not be mixed with development.
He called for the proper utilization of CDF for the benefit of the people of Gwembe.
And Gwembe CDF stakeholders have unanimously proposed to purchase road equipment from the just released one billion kwacha CDF in order to improve feeder roads in the district.
In attendance were Ward councilors, the District Commissioner, heads of government departments, district council staff, NGOs, the church, chiefs, and community representatives.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba
Workers Union of Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (WUTAZ) has resolved to withdraw their affiliation from the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
But ZCTU President, Leonard Hikaumba has urged WUTAZ to remain patient as the mother union body will soon look into the issue to resolve the leadership wrangles that have erupted in the union.
WUTAZ National General Secretary, Africa Mkandawire who disclosed the development to ZANIS in Kapiri Mposhi said his union resolved to pull out of ZCTU after a recommendation from its unionized workers from all the eight branches in the country.
Mr Mkandawire said the workers recommended for the pulling-out because ZCTU has failed to provide guidance and leadership to the amicable resolution of the leadership wrangles that have rocked WUTAZ for some time now.
Mr Mkandawire said the unionized workers have accused ZCTU of fueling the persistent leadership wrangles in WUTAZ by abrogating section 34 subsections (1) and (2) of the Labour and Industrial Relations Act Chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia.
He said the ZCTU executive has handpicked and decided to work with a WUTAZ splinter group instead of the duly elected executive.
“The workers feel that ZCTU has abrogated the Labour and Industrial relations Act provisions because they have interfered in the internal affairs of WUTAZ by recognizing and aligning itself with renegade leaders who were expelled from the union… they have chosen to sideline duly elected leaders of the union so the workers have spoken… they do not want to belong to ZCTU because of reasons of interference”, Mr Mkandawire said.
Mr Mkandawire said WUTAZ will affiliate to the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ).
But ZCTU President, Leonard Hikaumba has appealed to the two splinter groups of WUTAZ to remain patient while the mother union body looks into the issue to resolve the leadership impasse.
In a phone interview with ZANIS in Kapiri Mposhi today Mr Hikaumba said ZCTU has not yet sat to consider the matter pertaining to leadership wrangles that have resulted in the formation of two WUTAZ adversary executive committees.
“Yes the leadership wrangles in our affiliate union (WUTAZ) have been brought to our attention but we are yet to table them … we have been advised by the Ministry of Labour to rehearse with the two groups and we have been reminded to advise the leaders in WUTAZ to observe and adhere to the Labour and Industrial Relations Act”, Mr Hikaumba said.
Mr Hikaumba further said ZCTU will only table the matter after it peruses the WUTAZ constitution to acquaint itself with the provisions in an event of what was pertaining in the union.
There have been leadership disputes in WUTAZ which have resulted in the formation of two adversary executive committees to represent the workers.
The rebel union was formed by some expelled WUTAZ executive members led by former union Vice President, Aaron Tiza.
Those expelled from the union include Vice President, Aaron Tiza, Deputy General Secretary, Beatrice Kampangwe, Committee Member, Pery Kapindula and National Trustees, Jacob Lombe and Petronella Mutale.
Last week the removed union leaders expelled the entire incumbent WUTAZ executive led by Mr Africa Mkandawire for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of union funds.
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has awarded its unionized employees a 7.5 percent salary increment across the board. However, some union officials are not happy with the deal which they have described as mediocre.
Speaking during the signing of the collective agreement yesterday at Nkana flats, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) general secretary Joseph Chewe said the unions are not happy with the increment and hoped that they will be able to clinch a better package next year.
Mr. Chewe said there was no unity amongst union officials from various mine workers’ unions as some of them were pushing for their own agendas not the interest of the workers.
The other unions involved in the negotiations were United Mine Workers Union of Zambia (UMUZ) and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW).
He observed that there was need for the unions to work together if they are to clinch a better deal for their members.
He stated that the union leaders accepted the 7.5 per cent increment to avoid engaging in work stoppages that could have affected the performance of the mining company.
Mr. Chewe however urged miners to work towards improving the production of the mining firm.
He warned that the unions are prepared to go to court if the mining company will give them a similar low package next year.
And UMUZ president Steven Mulenga urged miners to work hard and contribute positively to the development of the mining sector.
Mr. Mulenga said miners have a special role to play in increasing production at the mining company.
And KCM vice president in charge of human capital management David Kaunda said KCM will continue playing a significant role in the
development of the country.
Mr. Kaunda said the unions must work in harmony with management in order to enhance development at the mining firm.
Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (centre) shares a light moment with Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa (left) and Zambia Railways Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa
Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has announced its new management board which plans to modernize railway infrastructure as part of its master-plan to be implemented in the next year three years.
The board is headed by former Taskforce chairperson Mark Chona and renowned economist Oliver Saasa as his deputy.
Others were Communications and Transport Permanent Secretary Muyenga Antanga and his Commerce and Trade counterpart Stephen Mwansa as well as Finance Permanent Secretary in-charge of Budget Pamela Chibonga.
Others on-board were Solicitor General Musa Mwenye, Road Transport and Safety Agency director Zindaba Soko, a consultant Joram Mwansa, Irene Zeko Mbewe a lawyer, Geoffrey Mulenga a mechanical engineer and Richard Chipanama a former ZRL employee.
Speaking during an induction ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chona said the vision of ZRL board in partnership with management was to make the railway industry profitable, efficient and viable according to aspirations of Zambians.
“This is a big task that we have been given especially that President Sata wants to see this railway industry viable. We want to look at what ZRL’s needs, how it will be revamped but we want to promise Zambians that we shall make this industry effectively viable for smoother operations of our trains,” he said.
Mr Chona said the composition of the board was balanced with wealth expertise from skilled members who would put their ideas jointly to uplift welfare of dilapidated railway in the country.
Earlier, Dr Antanga implored the board to be innovative and work prudently to achieve its targeted goals.
“Government is expecting you be to be innovative because we want policies to be implemented effectively to enable this railway industry be revamped for people to start enjoying the trains,” he said
Dr Antanga said Zambians were concerned with the deplorable state of the railway sector infrastructure and that it was incumbent upon the new board to fulfill people’s expectations.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary Muyenga Atanga (second from right) talks to Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (right) as Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa (left) and Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa look on
ZRL deputy chairperson Professor Saasa said Zambia’s economic development depended also on the railway sector which could realise profits once revived to full capacity.
He was saddened that despite Zambia recording tremendous economic strides, the railway industry still lagged behind.
And ZRL chief executive officer Clive Chirwa said his management had an ambitious programme of resuscitating the railway and modernizing it in the next three years.
Government recently revoked the concession agreement of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) and placed it under ZRL.
Meanwhile, Dr Antanga has said the ZRL would embark on an ambitious programme of acquiring state-of-the-art locomotives to make it more viable and reduce hauling of goods on the roads.
He said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances at Parliament yesterday UPND Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament Greyford Monde.
Dr Atanga said government was also looking at prospects of speeding up the completion of the North Western Railway that would connect the country to the Lobito Bay in Angola.
He said Zambia railways and TAZARA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve the rail way system in the country.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary Muyenga Atanga (second from right) addresses Zambia Railways Board Chairperson Mark Chona (right), Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa (left) and Deputy Board Chairman Professor Oliva Saasa in Lusaka
SOME of Northern Provincial Constitution Conference delegates walking out of the Conference hall
THE clause which allows for dual citizenship in the First Draft Constitution has been rejected by delegates to the Northern Province Constitution Convention in Kasama.
Dual citizens can carry two passports and essentially live, work, and travel freely within their native and naturalised countries.
Opposing the clause, Mporokoso district medical officer Tresphord Mulenga said a person with dual citizenship had divided loyalties and Zambians needed to identified with prosperity or woes of their country.
Dr Mulenga said a genuinely patriotic person needed to be identified with only one republic and when issues of national importance arose, it would make it difficult for a dual citizenship holder to offer allegiance to one country and reject the other.
However, Catholic cleric Lombe Bwalya from Kaputa parish said dual citizenship was becoming more common in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
[pullquote]Father Bwalya said dual citizenship had the advantages of broadening a country’s economic base by promoting trade and investment between the dual citizen’s two respective countries. [/pullquote]
Many countries are now seeing the advantages of dual citizenship and were liberalizing their citizenship laws.
Father Bwalya said dual citizenship had the advantages of broadening a country’s economic base by promoting trade and investment between the dual citizen’s two respective countries.
Some dual citizens also enjoy the privilege of voting in both countries, owning property in both countries, and having government health care in both countries.
However, when it came to a vote, it was recommended the clause on dual citizenship be removed.
In the Luapula Province convention the dual citizenship clause was retained amid arguments from some delegates including Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni that the clause should be rejected on patriotic and nationalist grounds.
Debating on the motion, Mr Sakeni urged Zambians to critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and ensure that it was not allowed in Zambia.
“AS Zambians, let us critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and take the interest of the nation at heart. Why do people want to be citizens of other countries in the first place,” Mr Sakeni said.
[pullquote]“As Zambians, let us critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and take the interest of the nation at heart. Why do people want to be citizens of other countries in the first place,” Mr Sakeni said.[/pullquote]
Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said dual citizenship would make it difficult to extradite Zambians who committed crimes if they moved to other countries where they had citizenship.
“Let us denounce dual citizenship because even countries like United Kingdom are having difficulties to extradite criminals,” Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said.
Other delegates including former Minister in the MMD, Mwansa Mbulakulima argued that it was important for Zambia to give citizenship to Zambians living in the diaspora to enable them work in other countries.
“Most of the Zambians living in other countries cannot work because of the issue of citizenship hence the need for us to assist them,” he said.
Some delegates, especially from the medical field supported the dual citizenship clause saying it would go a long way in contributing to national development.
The issue of the dress code also raised concern with Pastor Maxwell Luchile saying indecent dressing had even affected the church.
The convention refused to amend the provisions of Article 9(a) to read “morality, descent dressing, Christian values and Ethics”.
The convention however agreed to amend the definition of words minority and marginalised groups in the draft Constitution, under Article 311, to ensure the words did not apply to groups like lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals, gay and prostitutes, which did not reflect on Christian values.
[pullquote]“Let us denounce dual citizenship because even countries like United Kingdom are having difficulties to extradite criminals,” Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said.[/pullquote]
In Muchinga delegates upheld the Article on death penalty as contained in the first draft constitution.
The delegates reached a tie before going into a secret ballot with 71 votes cast to retain the death penalty and 21 voted against the penalty while 7 people did not vote.
The delegates retained Article 28 sub-section 3 which states that a person may be deprived of life if that person has been convicted of a capital offence and sentenced to death.
A delegate, Victor Mapande said the Article should be carefully examined while Frank Bowa seconded the proposal.
Another delegate Lewis Shikapwasha said the death penalty should be upheld even in a Christian nation as the Bible allows death penalty hence should be retained as a deterrent.
The delegates retained Article 33 (1) which states that a person shall not be held in slavery as contained in the first draft constitution while others suggested that Slavery, Servitude and Forced Labour be redefined.
The delegates amended Article 60 of the draft constitution to state the State shall place affirmation action programmes designed to ensure that socially acceptable minority and marginalized groups, participate and are represented in governance and other spheres of life, are provided with equal opportunity in cultural, political, public service, economic and social activities.
The Article further states that minority and marginalized groups shall be provided special opportunities for access to employment and develop socially acceptable cultural values, languages and practices.
Delegates failed to retain the Article before settling for the secret ballot with a total of 99 votes cast and 33 opting for the Article to be retained in its original form in the first draft constitution while 63 wanted it to be amended.
A Human Rights Commission representative, Kebby Malila informed the delegates that issues related to human rights were not negotiable.
Mr Malila said the rights women should not be subjected to negotiation with their spouses as this compromised the essence of human rights.
“Human rights are not negotiable. Consulting the spouse on rights of the woman would be eroding the foundation of human rights”, he said.
[pullquote]“Human rights are not negotiable. Consulting the spouse on rights of the woman would be eroding the foundation of human rights”, he said.[/pullquote]
Delegates retained Article 52 under the Bill of Rights which allows women to have rights to reproductive health and change nationality of their children, access to family planning and related information.
Other Articles in the first draft constitution that were overwhelmingly retained include Freedom of Persons, Protection from inhuman Treatment, Security of Persons, Protection of Privacy of Persons, Home and Property and Communication and Freedom of religion and Conscience.
In Mongu, UPND Senanga MP Likando Mufalali blamed the Technical Committee for the poor turnout of lawmakers at the ongoing Western Province Constitution Convention.
Mr Mufalali said in an interview in Mongu that the Technical Committee had not informed the MPs on time, resulting in a poor turn out.
“The low turn out of MPs is due to the fact that the timing by the Technical Committee, I think, was not communicated to them on time. They (MPs) are attending to Committees right now. Parliamentary Committees have started,” he said.
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was today arrested for allegedly defaming the President Contrary to Section 66 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia and later released on KR 5,000 bond with two working sureties.
Mr Hichilema was arrested for uttering defamatory statement against President Micheal Sata during a tour of Kalikiliki market recently.
During his Kalikiliki market tour, Mr Hichilema is believed to have accused President Sata of shielding Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba in the corruption case before the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).
Mr Hichilema was also reported to have called the Head of State a thief and that he was corrupt.
“Yes I can confirm that we have arrested and charged Mr Hichilema, this is in connection with the words he made on January 13 this year, where he accused the President of defending Mr Kabimba at ACC, we believe the words were defamatory, he will appear in court this afternoon,” she said.
Mr Hichilema who reported himself first to Police Headquarters at 10:00 hours following a Call Out had his arrest characterized with violence by his cadres resulting into one police officer getting injured in the process after being hit with a stone on his head.
[pullquote]“..this is in connection with the words he made on January 13 this year, where he accused the President of defending Mr Kabimba at ACC, we believe the words were defamatory,” she said.[/pullquote]
The opposition leader was blocked by his cadres upon arrival at the police but was blocked by his sympathizers from entering inside the station for more than 30 minutes as they struggled with the police for blocking them.
“I refuse to go upstairs to be interrogated from because you want to tears gas me and other people, this is how you want to kill innocent people if it’s going upstairs then there would be no interview,” he said while at the reception.
Mr Hichilema was only allowed to enter inside with his lawyers and a handful of cadres who again at the reception blocked him from going upstairs where officers awaited to interview.
Police had to find an alternative office to conduct the interviews after the opposition leader claimed the officers would tear-gas him.
After interrogations, Police again had to struggle with cadres after it was known that he was to be ferried to Woodlands Police Station.
At Woodlands Police Station, Mr Hichilema was welcomed by MMD president Nevers Mumba as he arrived for a formal arrest, which was once again characterized by confusion by the unruly cadres.
“I will continue to fight what I know is right, this is a fight for the people of Zambia it is not my fight alone, well I will be going to Court this afternoon so let me not say much,” said Mr Hichilema.
[pullquote]“I refuse to go upstairs to be interrogated from because you want to tears gas me and other people, this is how you want to kill innocent people if it’s going upstairs then there would be no interview,” he said while at the reception.[/pullquote]
Mr Hichilema’s opposition counterpart, Dr Mumba said the opposition would not allow the Government to cause unnecessary confusion in the opposition by refusing them to exercise their democratic rights.
“These are indications that there is no rule of Law anymore, you touch one you touch all of us in the opposition because what the government was doing is taking away the liberty from us instead of bringing justice,” Dr Mumba said.
And at the court house, Mr Hichilema failed to take plea when he appeared before the Lusaka Magistrate Court in the afternoon, as the prosecution team was reportedly not prepared.
His defense lawyer Sakwiba Sikota in addressing journalists at Court said plea could not be taken because consultations were still being conducted with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The matter would come up for plea on Tuesday next week.
Earlier at the Lusaka Police headquarters opposition UPND cadres exchanged blows during the arrest of party leader Hakainde Hichilema leaving one officer with a severe head injury.
Party cadres that accompanied Mr Hichilema protested their leader’s arrest. In the process the situation resulted in the exchange of blows but the situation was calmed down when the opposition leader pleaded with his supporters to be peaceful.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela identified the injured officer as Adam Banda who was hit with a brick on the head and sustained a deep cut. Investigations have been instituted.
She has since condemned the unacceptable and unruly behaviour of the cadres and said police would launch investigations into the assault of Police officer, Adam Banda.
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga has labeled Zambia Association of Musicians President Maiko Zulu an embarrassment to musicians in the country.
Mr. Malupenga said Zulu previously known as St Maiko is always quick to criticize government’s commitment to fighting piracy without getting basic understanding of what government was doing about curbing piracy.
“The Rastafarian always wants to attack government that we are killing the musicians but what is disappointing is that Maiko doesn’t know what the government had been working on all this time,” Mr. Malupenga said.
Mr Malupenga was speaking in Lusaka Wednesday morning during a media breakfast meeting held to announce the arrival of a Hologramme to be used in the fight against audio video piracy.
A hologram is a security feature which will be affixed on audio-visual works as a measure to curb piracy in the country.
Government recently engaged OpSec, a UK-based global company specialized in providing anti-counterfeiting and brand protection solutions to supply hologram to Zambia which has now finished its designs.
“It is disappointing that we had invited Maiko to be part of this breakfast in his capacity as President of all Musicians in Zambia but the man declined. I believe that if he had attended this meeting, he would have been in a better position to appreciate what the government is doing to fight piracy in Zambia.”
He said, “The Ministry of Information does not need St Michael, its St Michael who needs the Ministry. He has been exhibiting a lot of frustration and ignorance on this matter and yet he is the one who is supposed to be the one speaking on behalf of Musicians in this country.”
“It is sad that the President of Musicians is the most ignorant on matters of music piracy,” he said.
Mr. Malupenga said the coming in of a Hologramme will to result in a drastic reduction in pirated goods on the Zambian market.
But when reached for a comment, Maiko said he declined to attend the media breakfast because of short notice.
He also said musicians in Zambia wanted to be consulted in the designing of the Hologramme and not just to be informed about it.
