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As calls to have Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda from the ruling Patriotic Front intensify, PF Lusaka Province chairman Geoffrey Chuumbwe says the Central Committee will soon meet to decide the fate of Mr. Lubinda.
Speaking in an interview , Mr. Chuumbwe said the petition by Kabwata Constituency officials has already been submitted to the party secretary general Wynter Kabimba for further scrutiny.
Mr. Chuumbwe said the Central Committee will soon make a ruling based on the recommendations by the Secretary General.
He has since called on members to remain calm and allow the central committee to have the final say on the matter.
PF Kabwata officials have accused Mr. Lubinda of being disloyal to the party and retarding development among other things.
Yesterday PF cadres from seven constituencies in Lusaka marched to State House demanding the speedy expulsion of Mr. Lubinda but they were blocked by police.
Police have apprehended a 20 year old woman of Muselepete area in Kasempa for allegedly causing the death of her two year old son.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the incident occurred on Christmas eve when the suspect, identified as Maureen Kamanga, allegedly abandoned her son in an open house and went to Kilembelo Night Club with her boyfriend and later spent the night at the boyfriend’s house.
She said when the suspect went back home the following morning, she found her son lying dead at the neighbour’s house.
She said it was believed that the child was carried away by water due to heavy rains and the body of the deceased boy is lying in Mukinge mission hospital mortuary.
A 34 year old woman of Lusaka’s Kalingalinga compound was last night shot dead by suspected criminals.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the incident occurred around 22:45 hours in Kalingalinga compound at a Mr. Castro Chabala’s shop.
Ms. Kanjela said the criminals, who were armed with a pistol, attacked Mr. Chabala in his shop and robbed him of K3 million cash and talk time for all networks worth K2.5 million.
She explained that when the deceased, identified as Jane Chiona who was selling in a makeshift shop next to Mr. Chabala’s shop went to see what was happening at the neighbour’s shop, the criminals shot her in the chest killing her instantly.
Ms. Kanjela said the body of the deceased is lying in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
The Police Spokesperson further disclosed that no arrests have been made so far but said investigations into the matter have continued.
Kapiri-Mposhi based Fifa referee Jani Sikazwe says he is humbled by his appointment to officiate at the 2013 Africa Cup by Caf.
Sikazwe heads to South Africa next month to officiate at his second Nations Cup in 12 months after making his debut at this year’s tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Sikazwe told Radio Icengelo Sports that he was not the best ref in the country despite being the only local match official picked for next year’s AFCON.
“I am the only one going that side (South Africa ) but it doesn’t mean I am the best, there is only one spot for Zambia,” he said.
The Kapiri teacher stated that he picked lessons from the 2012 AFCON and promised to raise his performance at the 2013 edition.
“Expect the best from me. I now know all the corners of the Africa Cup as compared to the last one. This time I have got new ideas I just have to go there and do it,” Sikazwe added.
The Africa Cup runs from 19 January to February 10.
Suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres are allegedly invading on private land in Lusaka’s west and are terrorizing land owners.
The cadres have allegedly been grabbing titled land from unsuspecting land owners and demarcating plots for sale.
An affected land owner, Simeon Zyambo told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the cadres have gone on rampage grabbing any piece of land they can lay their hands on.
Mr. Zyambo, who resides in Livingstone where he is working, said four weeks ago, some cadres invaded his farm plot and told his worker that they had come to take over the titled land.
He said the cadres have since started digging foundations on his plot and have also marked some roads.
He said he reported the matter to Kanyama Police Post and also spoke to Lusaka District Commissioner who gave him one ward official from Kanyama to go and ascertain which people were involved in the scam.
Mr. Zyambo said it was established that it was PF cadres from Ward ten in Kanyama that were selling titled land in Lusaka west.
He stated that upon establishing that the cadres belonged to the ruling party, he went to the PF secretariat but was referred to the party’s Lusaka district office where some district officials intervened in the situation.
He said the situation became quiet for a while and he returned to Livingstone.
But to Mr. Zyambo’s surprise, he received a call from his neighbour telling him that the cadres were back on the farm and were removing roofing sheets from his servant quarters.
He said his worker was not around as he had fled for fear of losing his life at the hands of cadres.
Mr. Zyambo said he immediately phoned Kanyama Police who rushed to the scene but found that cadres had finished removing the roofing sheets and ran away and dropped some of the roofing sheets on the way upon seeing the police.
He said the police managed to retrieve 16 roofing sheets which are currently at Kanyama Police Post.
Mr. Zyambo explained that he travelled from Livingstone to Lusaka on Thursday only to receive a report that the cadres had now razed down his house completely.
He appealed to the PF leadership to stop the cadres from terrorizing citizens in the country saying they were tarnishing the image of the ruling party.
And PF Lusaka Province Chairperson Geoffrey Chuumbwe warned that the ruling party will not shield anyone involved in criminal activities.
Mr. Chuumbwe cautioned cadres against engaging in criminal acts.
He called on PF members who may be involved in such illegal acts to stop forthwith adding that the party will not hesitate to hand over to the police anyone found breaking the law.
He also advised victims of land grabbing to report to his office so that necessary measures can be taken to address the situation.
Government will swiftly act towards the realisation of the Freedom of Information bill.
And government has expressed confidence that Zambia will implement the digital migration before the regional and international deadlines.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Kennedy Sakeni, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said tremendous progress has already been made towards actualising the Freedom of Information bill.
Mr. Sakeni disclosed that the Attorney General has finished studying the proposed Access to Information bill and that the bill will now be submitted to Cabinet and to members of the public before it is finally submitted to parliament for enactment.
He was speaking at an interactive media cocktail that was organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services in Lusaka last night.
Mr. Sakeni said government, under the leadership of President Michael Sata, has decontrolled and deregulated the media so that they operate freely and professionally in carrying out their mandate of informing, educating and entertaining the public.
He said the controls that characterized the media under the previous regime were now a thing of the past.
And on digital migration, Mr. Sakeni said his ministry was confident of migrating in line with both the regional and international deadlines.
A total of K25 billion has been set aside in the 2013 national budget for the implementation of digital migration.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sakeni said considerable progress also has being made towards the establishment of provincial television studios in order to give the rural masses a voice in the governance and development of the country.
He commended the provincial television committee chaired by former Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Director General Duncan Mbazima for the speed and seriousness it has employed in implementing the provincial television projects.
Mr. Sakeni noted with happiness that the committee has already visited all the ten provinces of the country to identify land and other facilities for the construction of the television studios.
An initial K22 billion was set aside in the 2013 national budget for the construction of provincial television studios which is set to commence next year.
Mr. Sakeni stressed that under the Patriotic Front (PF) government, press freedom was non-negotiable and non-reversible adding that government will not stop the media from reporting the truth.
He also assured the nation that government remains unflinchingly committed to transforming the country into a prosperous and better place to live in.
He said the landmark successes the country has scored in sports and other sectors were testimony of more and better things to come under the leadership of President Sata.
Speaking earlier, Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga urged the media to work closely with government in promoting a professional media fraternity in the country.
Mr. Malupenga also stressed that his ministry has scored major milestones in the development of the media industry in the country.
A 33 year old man of Kaipalile village in chief Mafuta’s area in Chipata district died after being attacked by an angry mob.
This was after the deceased, identified as James Mbewe, unlawfully assaulted 68 year old Jabson Henry of the same village by axing him on the head.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela disclosed that the incident occurred on Thursday, December 27 around 20:00 hours when the deceased followed Mr. Henry to his house where he axed him.
Ms. Kanjela told ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka today that the mob descended on Mbewe when Mr. Henry shouted for help.
She said villagers went to Mr. Henry’s house after he shouted for help and they started beating the deceased leaving him seriously injured.
Ms. Kanjela said Mbewe was rushed to Chipata General Hospital where he died later.
She said the motive of the attack on Mr. Henry is not yet clear and that the body of the deceased was lying in Chipata General Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
And in a related development, a 31 year man identified as Douglas Kalwazhi of North-western province was found dead by the road side in a pool of blood in the early hours of today.
Ms. Kanjela said the police found the deceased with two deep cuts on the head, the lips and a swollen face and head.
She said police suspect that an unknown object must have been used to inflict the injuries.
The Police Spokesperson said a heap of beddings that included blankets, mattress covers, duvets, bed sheets and Chitenge material were also found at the scene of the crime.
She said police suspect that the deceased must have been attacked by a mob and that no one had come forth to claim ownership of the items.
Ms. Kanjela said the body of the deceased was lying in Solwezi Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem while a docket of murder has been opened and investigations have been constituted.
She appealed to members of the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands through the act of mob justice.
Meanwhile, police in Luapula have arrested a 34 year old woman identified as Mwewa Belani for allegedly causing the death of her friend Catherine Chalwe aged 32 years of Musaila village in Samfya district.
It is alleged that on December 8, Ms. Belani and Ms. Chalwe fought after a dispute and the latter was overpowered.
Ms. Kanjela said Ms. Chalwe later reported to the police that she had been assaulted.
She said on December 28, Ms. Chalwe died around 15:00 hours and the body is lying in Samfya district hospital mortuary while Ms. Belani has been picked up by police as a suspect and investigations in the matter have continued.
And police in Lusaka have recorded a defilement case involving two children aged three and five in Chipata compound.
Ms. Kanjela said the incident occurred yesterday when the mother of one of the children sent the two minors to buy cooking oil at a kiosk around 18:00 hours.
She said the children were later reported missing and at 19:00 hours, the two were found but the five year old was unconscious and her private parts were bleeding.
She said investigations into the matter have since been instituted and the children have since been taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for treatment.
She said medical reports have been issued.
Ms. Kanjela urged parents and guardians to be more responsible especially over children saying they risk being charged with negligence.
Vice President Guy Scott has said no chiefdom boundaries have been affected by the creation of new districts in Zambia.
Dr. Scott said a number of people have been asking if new chiefs will be appointed for the new districts.
He said the creation of new districts means setting up an administrative office, District Commissioner and some government departments closer to the people.
The Vice President said this yesterday when he launched the celebrations of Luampa district which is 67 kilometres from Kaoma district in Western Province.
Recently, President Michael Sata created Kayeme, Limulunga and Luampa as new districts in Western province.
Dr. Scott noted that Luampa has great opportunities for development and thanked the area Member of Parliament Josephine Limata for having worked well with the Patriotic Front government and for persuading relevant authorities to turn it into a district.
He however noted that the newly created district faces a number of challenges which government was committed to address.
Among the challenges he outlined were those of health, education, road network and electricity.
Dr. Scott said Luampa Mission Hospital alone was not adequate to provide health care hence the need for government to put up more health facilities.
“Health is wealth and without good health even the rich man will be poor,” he noted.
He further observed that access to education in the area needs attention.
He said government will ensure that schools are built and urged parents to allow their children to go to school once the infrastructure is in place.
Dr. Scott added that government also has plans to work on the road network in Luampa district.
He said the M9 to M10 road from Namapombwe to Namachila will be tarred for easy movement of people and transportation of goods.
Dr. Scott also noted that government was still dedicated to ensuring that Luampa is connected to the national electricity grid as promised last year.
“Last year through Energy Deputy Minister, government promised that you will be connected to the national grid. It still stands,” he said.
And Dr. Scott said government has a responsibility to ensure timely allocation of funds to the district for all the projects.
He meanwhile reiterated the call of peace and unity among the people in the area.
Western Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta thanked President Sata for fulfilling his promises to the people in the area.
Mr. Mwaliteta said the creation of more districts by the President will remain history as the promise of developing the nation has become a reality.
He noted that more districts in the country translate into more jobs and more money in people’s pockets.
Mr. Mwaliteta pledged his full support to develop the new district.
And Luampa MMD Member of Parliament Josephine Limata, who could not hide her excitement, said the people in her constituency were equally excited for having Luampa as a district.
Ms. Limata said she would love to see the District Commissioner start executing his duties as soon as possible especially that accommodation and office space were already in place.
Mangango MMD Member of Parliament Robert Taundi Chiseke, who was overwhelmed with the occasion, appealed to government to consider turning his constituency into a district also.
Mr. Chiseke said the creation of Luampa as a district has come at a right time when leaders need to work together to develop the nation.
Meanwhile, Bishop Paul Mususu, who spoke on behalf of Evangelical Church of Zambia (ECZ), said his organisation was happy with the declaration of Luampa as a district.
Bishop Mususu said the Church does not affiliate itself to any political party and promised not to be involved in partisan politics.
He however noted that the Church will support government in its efforts to develop the area.
Bishop Mususu said the Church will work hard to ensure that there is positive operation of the district.
Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Wynter Kabimba
The Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Wynter Kabimba has denied assertions from some quarters of society suggesting that the party has ‘an invisible hand’ in the recent enforcement of the Public Order Act.
Mr. Kabimba reiterated that the party and government have no role in the application of the provisions of the Act which has led to the arrest of some opposition political party leaders for illegal assembly.
He explained that the Public Order Act, which Zambia Police Service is currently using, has been there even when the PF was in the opposition.
He said he therefore does not understand how an independent and professional body mandated to maintain law and order can consult any political party on the application of the Act.
Mr. Kabimba, who is also Minister of Justice, was speaking to Journalists at the party’s youth and media centre in Woodland last evening.
He disclosed that his party worked hard in the opposition and later formed government when the Public Order Act was already in effect.
[pullquote]“You will only be called a criminal if you are arrested for abrogating the public order act and not a hero. The Police will arrest you as many times as you commit the crime. And if you are not happy with the way the police are using the Public Order Act, go to court and don’t blame the ruling party for your problems,” he explained.[/pullquote]
He said the PF members ensured that they always abided by the law to avoid causing the breach of peace in the country.
Mr. Kabimba has since advised the opposition political parties to either go to court if they are not happy with the way the act was being used by the police or adhere to what the law stipulates to avoid being arrested.
He reminded the public that abrogating the public order act was a crime adding that politicians who are arrested for disobeying the act will not be called heroes but criminals.
“You will only be called a criminal if you are arrested for abrogating the public order act and not a hero. The Police will arrest you as many times as you commit the crime. And if you are not happy with the way the police are using the Public Order Act, go to court and don’t blame the ruling party for your problems,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kabimba has advised opposition political parties to work hard and stop complaining if they are to win the hearts of Zambians as his party did.
He noted that it was only through hard work that the opposition can gain ground adding that blaming the ruling party will not earn them the votes they want.
He said when the PF was in the opposition, its members went to all parts of the country especially in villages to convince people and not in markets to cause confusions.
The PF Secretary General said Zambians want a strong opposition party to offer checks and balances and not a mere critic of government on issues that do not concern all Zambians.
Mr. Kabimba is however happy with the popularity his party is enjoying countrywide saying Zambians are in love with the PF and its government.
He noted that almost all Zambians are supporting the ruling party because it laid a strong foundation when it was in the opposition.
He said the PF government will maintain the popularity by implementing projects they promised the people of Zambia such as constructing strong roads and by fighting corruption so that all Zambians benefit from the country’s resources.
Commenting on the deportation of foreign nationals by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Kabimba wondered why the opposition were protecting foreigners who were a danger to their own people.
He noted that it was illogical for a well meaning Zambian to protect individuals who are inimical to the country adding that the deportations are made in the best interest of the country.
He said deported individuals should not resist as they are taken back to their country of origin, a thing he said should make them happy to return home.
“…I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
(Psalm 101:2, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
This time of year, people often take time to reflect and set goals for the New Year. But have you ever set “perfection” as a goal on your list?
Now, that may seem a little strange or unobtainable to many; but really, in God’s eyes, perfection isn’t about performance. In fact, it isn’t about behavior at all. What God is looking for is a heart that is perfect toward Him. Scripture says that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart. That means He is more pleased with someone who has a heart toward Him who may mess up than He is with someone doing all the right things for all the wrong reasons.
The condition of your heart is extremely important to God. When you have a right heart, you are humble before Him. You seek His ways. You get up each day with a desire to please Him. You submit every area of your life to Him, and you are willing to make adjustments and receive correction so you can grow and come up higher.
As you prepare for the coming year, make knowing Him your number one priority. Yield yourself to Him and let Him shape your character. Serve Him with all your might and let your heat be perfect toward Him!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for all of Your blessings in my life. I declare today that You are good and thank You for Your mercy. I set my heart and mind on You and ask that You have Your way in me. Help me to love You perfectly and keep me close to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Panji Kaunda
Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Panji Kaunda has disclosed that plans are underway to extend the Chipata/Mchinji railway line.
Colonel Kaunda said government was planning to extend the Chipata/Mchinji railway line from Chipata through Petauke to Mpika district in Muchinga province.
He disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on Petauke District Commissioner (DC) Elijah Mwale at his office today.
And Col. Kaunda said another survey was being carried out to see how the railway line can also be extended to Luapula province.
He explained that a lot of manganese mining was expected to start taking place in Luapula province hence the need to have a sustainable transport system such as railway to reduce the pressure on roads.
Col. Kaunda said currently, many Zambian roads were being destroyed by heavy duty vehicles and government was spending a lot of money on road maintenance and repairs.
He noted that this was why government has seen it fit to improve the railway infrastructure in the country.
Col. Kaunda further disclosed that some Chinese companies have already shown interest in undertaking the railway expansion project.
And Petauke DC Elijah Mwale expressed happiness with the government plans saying it will significantly help in opening up the area for trade and investment.
Mr. Mwale said the development will be an achievement which the people of Petauke have been longing for since independence.
The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has maintained the policy rate at 9.25 per cent for January 2013.
BoZ Head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi said the monetary policy committee of the central bank at its meeting today noted the influence of seasonal factors on prices of key consumer items during the first quarter deciding to maintain the policy rate.
Mr. Mayondi said the committee took into account factors such as the higher demand for meat products and lower supply of fish following the fish ban which came into effect on December 1 and the reduced supply of some vegetables such as onion, rape, and tomatoes among others.
He said the other factor was the reduced supply of charcoal as access to production points and the processing of the commodity become more challenging.
He said there may be upward risks to inflation arising from the lagged effects of the recent exchange rate depreciation.
Mr. Mayondi however noted that inflationary pressures may be moderated by increased supply of maize to the millers by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
He said in this regard, the committee weighed these risks and concluded that some of the factors that may affect inflation in January 2013 are transitory in nature.
Mr. Mayondi said it was because of this that the committee decided to maintain the policy rate at 9.25 per cent.
This was contained in a media statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Zambia has recorded an increase in foreign direct investment and posted economic growth during the year 2012, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Stephen Mwansa has disclosed.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwansa said the increase in these two areas was due to the improvement in the investment climate and business environment.
He was speaking to ZANIS in response to a press query in Lusaka yesterday.
He said government had put in place measures to improve trade with the United States of America (USA) because it recognises the important role buying and selling plays in securing economic development of a country.
Mr. Mwansa cited the introduction of the pre-clearance systems by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) where goods are cleared before arriving at the port of entry and the reduction in the time it takes to register a business from 30 days to one as some of the issues that have improved the business climate in Zambia.
He said government embarked on these reforms to improve the economy of the country and was happy that it had started bearing fruits.
Mr. Mwansa said the country recorded a total of US$5.4 billion worth of investment pledges in 2011 of which most of them had been fulfilled in 2012.
He added that Zambia’s non-traditional exports (NTE) also experienced an average growth of 20 per cent which could be attributed to government’s efforts to diversify the economy and create favourable investment climate for the NTE sector.
Mr. Mwansa also affirmed government’s commitment in implementing her obligations with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and with the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He said Zambia had fully liberalised its tariffs with both COMESA and SADC.
He stated that importers were now only required to go straight to the Ministry of Agriculture and obtain permits, unlike in the past when they had to go to various ministries.
Kafue District Commissioner (DC) Grace Ngulube has ordered milling depots in the district to close until they reduce mealie meal prices as per presidential directive.
Mrs. Ngulube, who went round town to check on the mealie meal prices, found that milling depots were still selling a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast above K50, 000 contrary to the presidential directive.
Choma Milling depot was found selling a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast at K54, 500 and roller meal at K47, 500 while National Milling 25 kilogramme of breakfast was selling at K52, 500 and roller meal of the same quantity was at K47, 500.
Another retail outlet was selling a 25 kilogramme bag of Kapinga Milling breakfast at K60, 000 while roller meal was going at K55, 000.
Mrs. Ngulube said it was not fair that millers were not reducing the price of mealie meal despite government offloading a lot of maize to them through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
She said about 70 per cent of people in Kafue district were not employed hence cannot afford to buy mealie meal at high prices.
President Michael Sata on Thursday warned millers selling a 25 kilogramme bag of mealie meal at above K50, 000 that they risk having their licences revoked.
