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President Michael Sata has created six more districts in Western and North-western Provinces.
President Sata named the new districts as Sikongo, Nalolo, Sioma, Mitete and Luampa in Western province and Manyinga in North-western province.
The President said this when he swore in Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda and Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police Lemmy Kajoba at State House today.
President Sata has urged newly appointed Labour Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda to be sharp in the execution of his duties as issues to do with labour were very porous in the country.
He lamented that some Italians at a company which he did not name but based in Ndola were not paying Zambian workers well.
And President Sata directed Minister of Sports Chishimba Kambwili to ensure that a stadium is constructed in Western province.
He also called for the construction of a new university at Namushakende in Western Province and proposed that this institution of higher learning should be named King Lewanika University.
By Rev K.Kaoma
Mr. President, I am exceedingly disappointed that we are now lining up for mealie-meal in our nation. I find it extremely discourteous that Vice President Mr. Guy Scott had the guts to blame the shortages on millers while other PF officials blamed it on opposition leaders.
Your Excellency, I grew up under the Kaunda UNIP regime when shortages of basic needs were a norm. I remember waking up at mid-night in order to line up for mealie-meal at various milling companies in Mansa. I have always dreaded those days and never imagined that I would witness it again in my life-time but was wrong.
I was highly critical of the reigns of your predecessors due to excessive corruption and hard and irresponsible economic policies that characterized their leaderships. But as bad as they turned out, they did everything possible to provide mealie- meal and other basic goods to Zambians who could afford to pay for them. It is shameful that you seem to be taking us back to the UNIP era. Do you want to be remembered as the President who brought back “long lines” in Zambia and then blamed it all on the opposition?
Mr. President, how can you explain your administration’s failure to buy all agriculture produce across the nation, to pay farmers on time, water shortages at University Teaching Hospital, and now the shortage of mealie -meal in the nation? How about the reduction in the transmission radius for UNZA Radio, your love for the Public Order Act, the failure to address the street vendors’ situation in the nation, and of course your chaotic handling of the Barotseland issue? I realize that your Party’s answer is the same – blame it all on the opposition.
[pullquote]when the MMD government came into power in 1991 – to which you were a part, the country was almost bankrupt. Inflation, shortages of basic commodities, and a debt of US$7.2 billion were among the many challenges the MMD government had to address. But your situation is different. Zambia has made great strides in agriculture and other economic activities. All you have to do is to provide visionary leadership and the country will follow[/pullquote]
Sir, PF is not the only party to govern under multi-party politics. MMD under Mwanawasa and Banda governed under similar conditions. Regardless of their shortfalls, these administrations took responsibility for their actions and failed policies. This is not the case with you. It is just arrogance or have you developed presidential amnesia, usually associated with State House? During your 10 year in opposition, you were a fierce critic of MMD policies. You courageously stood with exploited workers in the nation to an extent that President Mwanawasa once demanded your arrest. When the Banda administration shot at innocent citizens in Mongu, you stood in solidarity with the victims of state violence. Your solidarity won you crucial popularity in Barotseland – the vote that helped deliver State House to PF. Such are the politics of opposition. So why are you now whining whenever opposition leaders do the same?
May be you understand the politics of opposition better than governance. The truth is, you are no longer the leader of the opposition party but the President of Zambia. We expect you to direct and negotiate the terrains of multi-party democracy. Least you forget the opposition will not help PF win popularity in the nation. Neither are they expected to agree with you on every matter of governance. Such a possibility is only conceivable in one-party rule and not in multi-party democracy which strives on compromises and negotiations. Here your negotiating and not bullying skills will play an important role. The opposition will only compromise with you if they know that they risk being perceived as obstructionists – which is not the case today. I know you expect them to blindly follow your directions like your cronies in PF. But if they do so, how are they going to make a case for your replacement to the electorate?
[pullquote]the opposition will not help PF win popularity in the nation. Neither are they expected to agree with you on every matter of governance. Such a possibility is only conceivable in one-party rule..The opposition will only compromise with you if they know that they risk being perceived as obstructionists – which is not the case today[/pullquote]
My former headmaster at Kawambwa Boys Technical School, Mr. Kawesha used to convey us to “use commonsense although it was not very common.” Of course, commonsense tells me that you can only arrive at your final destination if you know it. In political terms, you can’t expect to have a good cabinet or administration unless you know where you want to take the nation. It seems to me that you lack a clear vision for the nation. This has made it impossible for you to find capable individuals to help you govern. No doubt you inherited MMD corruption but you have had many months to put your house in order. Your trial and error form of governance is responsible for the current state of affairs.
You don’t need reminding that when the MMD government came into power in 1991 – to which you were a part, the country was almost bankrupt. Inflation, shortages of basic commodities, and a debt of US$7.2 billion were among the many challenges the MMD government had to address. But your situation is somehow different. Zambia has made great strides in agriculture and other economic activities. All you have to do is to provide visionary leadership and the country will follow. We expect the PF administration to deliver farming inputs on time, buy maize and pay farmers on time, supply millers with enough maize and keep street vendors off our streets, and of course address the plight of our retirees among many issues. You have no excuse for current state of affairs in the nation, Mr. President. Please, stop the blame game and start governing. We are counting on you to direct our nation but only if you have a right vision. As the biblical proverb states, “where there is no vision, people perish.”
A MOB in Mkushi District beat to death a 45-year-old farm worker who was found defiling a four-year-old girl on Saturday.The mob descended on the man, identified as Henry Katunga, who was found defiling the girl in her parents’ house.Passersby heard a girl screaming for help and mobilised themselves before forcing themselves in the house where they found the man in the act.
Central Province police chief Standwell Lungu explained that the girl was left in the custody of the man by his employers.Mr Lungu said the farm worker took advantage of the absence of the girl’s parents and lured her into the house.The mob beat him to death, but no one has been arrested for the murder.
He, however, cautioned members of the public against taking law into their hands adding that the man should have been handed over to the police.
Meanwhile, two Kitwe-based men have been apprehended in Mansa for being in possession of machinery, chemicals and paper used in printing fake Zambian currency and United States of America (US) dollars.Alert police officers in Mansa pounced on the two after a tip off from members of the public.
Luapula Province police chief Philemon Mutale identified the suspects as Silungwe Sichone, 20, of Chimwemwe Township and Musonda Musaka, 21, of Bulangililo.Police have also impounded a Toyota Splinter registration number AGR 9871 the two were using.Mr Mutale said police have summoned the owner of the vehicle to assist with investigations.Among items recovered from the two were four bottles of iodine , four by 2050 size paper of Zambia Kwacha, one by 2500 size paper of American dollars, five bottles of vitamin solutions, two syringes, two needles, cotton wool and two rolls of aluminium paper.
FILE: Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Miles Sampa
Government has spent about K1 billion on rentals for former Republican President Rupiah Banda’s residence, Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa has said.
Mr Sampa said Government had spent K1 billion on Mr Banda’s house rentals and would further spend K1.4 billion to construct his house from the 2013 national Budget.
He said it was therefore illogical for UPND cadres to petition Government’s decision to allocate K1.4 billion for the construction of President Michael Sata’s retirement house.
The deputy minister explained that Government had allocated money for the construction of houses for Mr Banda, late Frederick Chiluba’s widow and that of late President Levy Mwanawasa.
Mr Sampa was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the MTN Zambia Media Breakfast.
“In the case of President Sata, if the house finishes while he is still in State House, it will remain in Government’s hands and the Head of State will have to wait until he leaves office.
“We don’t want to see a situation like what happened in the past when former Heads of State were made to stay in rented houses,” he said.
He noted that if the former MMD administration had built a retirement house for Mr Banda in advance, Government would not have spent K 1billion on rentals.
Recently, UPND cadres petitioned Parliament on Government’s decision to allocate money towards construction of Mr Sata’s house.
Another person has died from a crocodile attack on the shores of Lake Kariba, adding to the ever increasing deaths occasioning from crocodile attacks in areas along the lake shores in Gwembe district.
Noriah Mudyamba 54, a wife and mother of Luumuno village in Chief Chipepo’s area was snatched by a crocodile yesterday evening as she bent to draw water from the lake.
Kota-kota Ward Councillor Friday Samutenta confirmed the matter to ZANIS over the weekend.
Mr Samutenta said her screams for help alerted people who rushed to rescue her from the firm grip of the reptile.
He said by the time the deceased was ripped away from the jaws of the reptile, Mudyamba was already dead.
Samutenta has expressed worry at the increasing number of crocodile victims in the area and called on the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to consider heeding to the constant cries of people in Gwembe and reduce the number of crocodiles that have infested the lake.
Asked why people have continued to draw water from the lake when government through its cooperating partners has sunk boreholes to provide safe and clean drinking water in the area, Mr Samutenta said there are only four water points in the area and that the lake remains the nearest source of domestic water for both people and livestock.
[pullquote]Asked why people have continued to draw water from the lake when government through its cooperating partners has sunk boreholes to provide safe and clean drinking water in the area, Mr Samutenta said there are only four water points in the area [/pullquote]
The area Councillor has since appealed for the sinking of more boreholes across the area to enable the community access clean and safe drinking water.
Earlier this month, a concerned Gwembe resident appealed to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to consider cropping crocodiles that he said had continued to attack both humans and livestock on Lake Kariba.
Charles Musunga told the media that over 10 heads of cattle were reported dead in two weeks in villages surrounding the lake shores in Sinafala area.
Areas such as Chifumpu and Madonda villages have suffered loss following crocodiles attack on livestock.
Mr Musunga said during the dry season, animals are forced to graze and drink water from the crocodile infested lake, resulting in livestock attack.
This has continued to worry livestock owners who have continued to lose their animals to the over-populated reptiles.
Cattle have from time immemorial, been the wealth of the valley Tonga people owing to poor arable areas and animals are chiefly used as draught power and a source of income.
Mr Musunga has appealed to government to consider empowering ZAWA with ammunition to enable them reduce the crocodile population that has continued to be life-threatening to both human beings and livestock.
Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina says there is need for people to break the silence and spread messages against Gender Based Violence.
Ms Wina said this over the weekend when she officiated at the launch of the “I care about her” campaign where over 500 men matched in commemoration of the 16 days of gender activism from Levy Park to new government complex in Lusaka.
The Minister of Gender said the campaign shows the commitment that men have realised the need to change their negative attitude towards women and girls by treating them with respect as equal members of society.
She said the “I care about her” campaign seeks to cultivate the sense of responsibility in men to protect their families and society by building a better world for women they care for.
Ms Wina said government will endeavour to ensure that a serious and resounding warning is sent to all those who want to perpetrate Gender Based Violence in Zambia.
She said government will work with all security wings to ensure that perpetrators of gender violence are brought to book.
The minister also stated that her ministry has pledged full support in partnership with men by ensuring that they are involved in curbing violence against women and girls.
And Oxfam Country Director Nellie Nyang’wa said it is sad to note that the media continues to carry horrific stories of violence against women, girls and children.
Ms Nyang’wa said it is worrying to see that violent acts are mostly done with impunity by people who are supposed to be protectors.
She observed that manhood is under serious disrepute adding that it is time to defend and fight for genuine manhood.
She said Oxfam has confidence that there are good men around who have been silenced by different social forces that have been inculcated in them.
She said Oxfam has chosen to support men in fighting GBV because they want to change the wrong thinking about women.
Ms Nyang’wa noted that the “I care about her” campaign is meant to create a platform where men out there who are feeling the pain of the violence can create a movement for change.
She argued men not to keep quite but take action and stop the vice.
Meanwhile Young Women Christian Association Men’s representative Raymond Havwala said the 500 men decided to match today to emphasises their commitment and support for the 16 days of Gender Activism under a theme “ Gender Based Violence; Zero Tolerance Now!”.
Mr Havwala said the 500 men have pledged to take action against early marriages, beating women and girls, rape and defilement in Zambia with zero tolerance actions.
He said beating women, defiling little girls is not a culture and does not signify manhood but shows cowardliness and in-human among men.
Mr Havwala further called on men to step up, respect and protect women and girls in society.
The 500 men match saw the support from Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu, Police Deputy Inspector General Solomon Jere among other government officials and representatives who joined in the match.
FILE: Ambassordor Frank Mutubila presents his credentials to the President of Italy Giogio Napolitano
Zambia’s Ambassador to Italy, Frank Mutubila says the high levels of poverty in the country still remains a concern for the Zambian government.
Mr. Mutubila said despite a number of interventions by the government and other international organisations, poverty has continued being a huge challenge.
The Ambassador noted that poverty and the global rising food prices are a source of concern.
He was Ambassador Mutubila was speaking during a presentation of his credentials to the President of The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze in Rome, Italy.
Mr Mutubila also said climate change is being felt across the globe and Zambia was no exception as evidenced by the recurrent droughts and floods.
The ambassador stated that Zambia remains resolved to continue working with IFAD in trying to address the many challenges facing small scale farmers in the country especially women empowerment in project activities.
He explained that the government of Zambia places agriculture as a top priority not only in the provision of food production but also to provide the much needed employment.
Meanwhile, Dr Nwanze noted that climate change will affect food production and cause the escalation of food prices in the world.
Dr Nwanze has since called on countries to have strategic food reserves for their nationals in order to avoid hunger.
The president said government should be responsible for buying crop harvests from farmers instead of allowing business people to buy from farmers at give-away prices.
“In terms of post-harvest challenge, I am aware that most African countries lack storage facilities for farm produce and most countries with surplus grain such as Zambia have seen some produce go to waste”, said Dr Nwanze.
The president has urged countries to put measures in place to address this challenge adding that youths should take up and not view it as a dirty job.
Dr Nwanze also said that there is need to sensitise the young people to understand that farming is a big sector that can cushion employment problems.
He indicated that IFAD has a program for 2013 that will be focusing on improving rural financing for farmers in Africa.
Zesco United has won the four-team invitational Cabora Bassa tournament in Mozambique beating hosts HCB Songo 2-1 in the final played in Songo on Sunday.
Zesco, who finished third in the Super Division this season, scored through striker Jackson Mwanza and midfielder Maybin Mwaba.
The Wedson Nyirenda coached side reached the finals on Friday beating Ferroviaro Maputo 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Strikers Lottie Phiri, Innocent Mwaba and Winston Kalengo were on the score sheet for the Ndola side.
Songo thumped Chingele Tete 5-0 in Friday’s first semi-final.
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) says Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration is not a political issue nor should it spark a debate among subscribers but rather be considered as a statutory requirement for security purposes.
ZICTA Public Relations Manager Ngabo Nankonde said there were misconceptions such as the alleged political strategy for Patriotic Front government on the current on-going SIM card registration.
Mrs Nankonde was speaking in a follow up SIM registration press briefing with journalists from various media houses in Kabwe yesterday.
She said journalists were a tool of communication that can help clear peoples’ doubts across the country to ensure that the exercise is understood and done by every mobile subscriber.
She said ZICTA draws its mandate from the Information Communications Technologies (ICT) Act No. 15 of 2009 and the Statutory Instrument on the Registration of Electronic Communications Apparatus No. 65 of 2011 to ensure that all the mobile phone service providers register the SIM cards of all their subscribers.
She said SIM card registration in Zambia is now a law that will enable law enforcement agencies create a database to help identify the mobile SIM card owners.
Mrs Nankonde further said the registration was essential in tracking criminals who use cell phones for illegal activities and also to curb other negative incidences such as loss of phone through theft, nuisance text messages, fraud, threats and inciting violence, among others.
She added that the registration is also meant to help the service providers know their customers better.
She said failure to register a SIM card is a breach of the law and jeopardises government efforts of stamping out incidences of crime perpetuated through mobile phone handsets and by extension, putting oneself at risk.
She explained that the personal information collected such as National Registration Card (NRC), valid passport, valid driver’s License or Voter’s card would be kept confidential by the respective mobile phone operators in a secure data base.
ZICTA is carrying out sensitization awareness on the on-going countrywide SIM card registration exercise through the media.
The opposition UPND in Southern Province has charged that God did not create a special tribe to rule Zambia.
UPND Livingstone District Spokesman Neto Habalwa told Journalists in Livingstone that there is no tribe in Zambia that is more special than others.
Mr. Habalwa argued that some political opponents rush to accusing the UPND of tribalism because they cannot compete with the party’s principles, ideologies and its vision for Zambia.
He said the tribal accusations are a cheap ploy by some politicians to demonize the UPND and reduce its chances of forming the next government.
Mr. Habalwa said the UPND realizes that its huge support in the Southern Province maybe misunderstood hence the decision to start penetrating other regions.
He said the senior party leadership is aware that to win a general election, the UPND needs to get votes from across the country.
Mr. Habalwa appealed to Zambians to be fair when judging the UPND and the Tongas in general using the tribal card.
He said it is a fact that Tongas are not tribal compared to other regions adding that Zambians should look beyond tribe when choosing their leaders.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Emmanuel Chenda
Government has resolved the mealie-meal crisis that had hit some parts of Copperbelt.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Emmanuel Chenda who earlier held a closed door meeting with millers in Kitwe today told journalists that the two parties have resolved the problems that had led to the current short supply of mealie-meal on the market.
Mr Chenda said all the millers operating in the province had assured government that they will immediately normalize their mealie-meal production and supply on the local market.
He said the millers have assured government that the supply of the staple food will normalize by Tuesday next week.
He added that all the millers that attended the meeting have assured government that they have enough stocks of maize to satisfy the current mealie-meal demand on the copperbelt.
The millers that attended the meeting included Antelope Milling Company, Olympic Milling, Mpongwe and H.M Milling.
And Mr Chenda said government will not succumb to the arm –twisting tricks by millers aimed at coercing government to off-load on the market the maize stocks held by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
He said government will off- load the maize held by FRA at an appropriate time because the maize is being kept for strategic planning in an effort to ensure food security in the country.
The minister observed that it was unjustified for miller to claim that they had no maize for them to supply sufficient mealie-meal on the market when they also bought maize from farmers in the maize buying season which has just closed.
And the minister said government will ensure that the millers that want to export mealie-meal to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo first satisfy the local demand before they can export.
And representatives from all the four milling companies that attended the closed door meeting with the Minister of Agriculture also told journalists that they have enough stocks of maize to enable them produce enough mealie-meal to off-set the shortage.
Meanwhile Mr Chenda has announced that farmers from Lufwanyama and Kalulushi who have not been paid by FRA for the maize they supplied to the agency have today started getting their money following the meeting he had yesterday with the management of participating banks.
He said the logistical problems that had caused the delay in paying the farmers have been sorted out.
Yesterday Mr Chenda announced that government bought maize worth K99 billion from farmers on the Copperbelt and has so far released K100 billion for the payment of the farmers.
“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!”
(1 Chronicles 16:34, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What you dwell on is what you will draw into your life. We can either focus on our problems, or we can focus on our blessings. The question is: do you want more problems, or do you want more blessings?
One thing I’ve noticed is that when you live with an attitude of constant gratitude, not only do you thank God for what He’s done in your life, you start thanking Him for what He will do in your life. You thank Him for opening doors for you in the future. You thank Him for increasing you. You thank Him for bringing the right people into your life. When we say “Thank You” to God for the things that are coming, it’s really a declaration of our faith in Him. It’s like saying in essence, “God, I’m so sure of Your goodness, I’m so sure that You’re working in my life that I’m going to thank You right now for what You are going to do tomorrow!”
Friend, that’s the kind of faith that pleases God. He wants us to trust in His goodness and believe that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He delights in seeing our faith. He delights in an attitude of gratitude. Today, let your faith say thank you. Praise Him throughout the day with a humble heart and watch what He will do on your behalf!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for another day to praise You. Thank You for all You have done in my life. Help me to see Your hand of blessing as I continually acknowledge and praise Your name in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Former MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda has warned of legal action against MMD national youth secretary Tobias Kafumukache if he continues with his unnecessary attacks on him.
Kafumukache yesterday accused Mr. Banda of organizing UPND youths to masquerade as MMD youths in an effort to destabilize the party.
Mr. Banda says he does not want to be dragged into the affairs of the MMD because he no longer has anything to do with his former party.
Speaking to QFM News, Mr. Banda says he is very much comfortable with his party and the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema.
He wondered how Kafumukache would accuse him of organizing youths in the MMD when it is a known fact that Bowman Lusambo has never been his ally.
Mr. Banda has since advised Kafumukache to concentrate on his court case in Mufumbwe where he was found with machetes and stones instead of trying to shift people’s attention.
He says it is good that the MMD is now feeling his weight.
President Micheal Sata says it is regrettable to note that visiting State House could be criminalised by those with vested interests.
Speaking through his Special Assistance for Press and Public Relations George Chellah in a statement made available to ZANIS this afternoon, President Sata said State House remains open to accept and engage any person, including the opposition as long as they follow the right procedure and their motives are clear.
President Sata has however described the recent quarrels and accusations within the opposition circles over State House visits as trivial, counter-productive and devoid of political maturity and nationhood.
The president said by now people should be seen departing from such type of pedestal politics as a nation.
He said if leaders genuinely desire to serve the Zambian people then they should respect and in the spirit of consultation, consensus and nation building engage each other for the benefit of the general populace and the country.
He said during his tenure of office, he desires to demystify the notion that State House is a place out of reach for citizens with divergent views and political inclinations.
“Let me affirm that State House remains open and as elected representatives of the people we look forward to greater and progressive forms of engagement with different stakeholders, including the opposition.
President Sata said historically State House has been visited by people from all walks of life and shall not segregate.
The head of state emphasized that though motives for visiting State House may vary, he remains a listening President and devoted to paying attention to all sides and voices in the nation.
Leader of the MMD Die Hard Youth Wing Bowman Lusambo has maintained that National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe has been compromised by the PF.
Mr. Lusambo said it has become clear that Major Kachingwe is not serving the interests of the MMD but that of his family.
He has now issued a fresh one week ultimatum to Major Kachingwe and his Deputy Chembe Nyangu to vacate the party’s secretariat in Lusaka’s Rhodespark area.
“We have decided to be civilized about this issue. We could have gone there yesterday (Friday) and lock up his office but we decided to give him chance to reason and pack his files nicely,” Mr. Lusambo said.
He said Major Kachingwe is a person he personally respects but that their latest differences are on principle adding that he loves the MMD so much and does not want to see extinct.
Mr. Lusambo warned that Major Kachingwe and Mr. Nyangu will be forced out of their offices if they don’t heed the ultimatum which will run out on Friday.
He said Major Kachingwe’s admission that he has been to State House and that President Michael Sata paid for his wife’s medical treatment in South Africa is confirmation that Major Kachingwe cannot run an effective opposition party.
“He said he is thankful to President Sata for not recalling his son from the diplomatic service, he said he is thankful because President Sata arranged that his wife be evacuated to Millpark Hospital and this is a man who can run MMD?” Mr. Lusambo questioned.
Mr. Lusambo said the youth wing has information that Major Kachingwe has been bribed by State House to further weaken the party.
“The man is not working for the interests of the party, he is busy serving his belly and that of his family members but the MMD has to go on and survive, so he has to leave.”
Major Kachingwe told Journalists earlier in the week that it would take a crane and a bulldozer to remove him from his position in the MMD.
On Friday, the MMD youths were scheduled to go and lock up offices for Major Kachingwe and Mr. Nyangu at the party’s secretariat as a way of forcing them to leave the party.
Operations however went on smoothly at the secretariat with staff operating normally with no sign of disturbances.
