Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has urged the government to consider settling the over 200 billion kwacha debt it owes the power utility company through unpaid bills.
ZESCO managing director Cyprian Chitundu says the outstanding debt owed by the government once paid would enable the company also fulfill the tax obligations that it is supposed to meet.
Mr. Chitundu says there is also need for the long term supply contracts that ZESCO has with the mining companies in the country to be relooked at adding that the current tariffs being offered to the mines are not cost reflective.
The mines consume 50% of the total power that ZESCO generates.
Mr. Chitundu was speaking during a presentation at a workshop for Members of Parliament in Lusaka today.
And Mr. Chitundu has further told parliamentarians that the introduction of the prepaid meters has led to a reduction in power distribution losses from 30 to about 13 %.
He added that up rating of the selected hydro-power station was also progressing well and that a contractor has also moved on site at Lunzuwa hydro-power station in Mbala district.
Mr. Chitundu further stated that ZESCO has also advertised for a contract to up rate Musonda Falls hydro-power station adding that other hydro-power stations to be up rated include Lusiwasi lower and upper Hydro-power stations, as well as Chishimba Falls.
And speaking during the question and answer session Gwembe Member of Parliament Brian Ntundu urged ZESCO to engage government and ensure that the bad contracts that ZESCO has are terminated.
The parliamentarian noted that the government should therefore move in as did on the concession agreement of Zambia Railway and terminate the long term supply agreement which ZESCO has with the mining companies and come up with cost reflective supply contracts.
Government has reversed the deportation of the Rwandese Catholic priest, Viateura Banyangandora and declared that he is free to come back to Zambia if the Church still needs him.
Home Affairs Minister, Edgar Lungu said at a press briefing in his office today that the revocation of the deportation order followed consultations with various members of the Catholic Church and was in line with “the Bible teachings to forgive one another in the love of Christ.”
Mr Lungu was, however, quick to warn members of the public regardless of their political affiliation that matters of the church should not be mixed with politics.
“I further warn those who want to intervene with the running of Government while hiding behind religion that the law will catch up with them. I will not take kindly to anyone who uses the name of the church to gain political mileage at the expense of serving the Zambian people,” he said.
Father Banyangadora, 40, who was based at Lundazi Catholic Parish, was deported early this year for allegedly violating the Laws of Zambia.
In his deportation order, Mr Lungu stated that Fr Banyangandora’s conduct was found to be a danger to peace and good order in Zambia contrary to Section 39(2) of the Immigration and Deportation Act, No. 18 of 2010.
FILE: MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka.
Opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba has denied being aware of any cracks in his party’s working relations with the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Dr. Mumba said his party has a very good working relationship with the UPND as could be seen from the last elections in Mufumbwe where the two opposition parties supported each other.
He told journalists in Solwezi today that the two parties were committed to building on the strength of the working pact.
He said the MMD has continued to relate very well with the UPND insisting that nothing has changed in the two opposition political parties’ working relationship.
“I am not aware of any cracks in our civility to work together for national development,” he said.
Dr. Mumba stated that there was no official distabalisation in the MMD/UPND working relationship.
“We worked together in Chongwe, Livingstone, Mufumbwe and we will continue working together on many issues of national development,” he said.
But when asked to comment on his vice president Michael Kaingu’s and UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma’s statements that suggested that two parties were no longer working together, Dr. Mumba said that was not the official position of MMD.
He said he has not sat with Mr. Kaingu to find out what statement he issued to the media.
Dr. Mumba said he has been away from Lusaka to campaign for MMD candidate in Mufumbwe and was thus not privy to statements his colleagues made in his absence.
He said the position of the former ruling party is to continue to relate well with other opposition parties.
Douglous Mwila 24, had his ear sliced by his supervisor
A 24 year’s man of Lusaka’s Kanyama compound, who had his ear sliced by his Chinese employer in October this year at Twin Palm Zambia Air Force Base, has withdrawn the case.
Douglas Mwila, who sustained a deep cut on his left ear after being hit with an iron bar by his employer Guo Haisheng of China Jiangxi Corporation limited following a dispute over works on drainages, today appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Aridah Chuulu.
When the matter came up for trial, Mwila told court that he was ready but expressed his intention of withdrawing the matter adding that he thanked God for serving his life.
He told Magistrate Chuulu that he has learnt of God’s mercy and the importance of forgiveness.
He told court that Haisheng has shown remorse for his actions adding that the accused had taken care of all travel, medical and food expenses since he was assaulted.
He stated that the two parties have agreed to have the matter withdrawn before court.
Mwila stated that he has since recovered and will be reporting for work on Monday next week as his sick leave ends this Friday.
However, magistrate Chuulu wondered if Mwila was well informed about his decision and consequences that may come with the withdrawal.
Magistrate Chuulu asked if he truly wanted to withdraw the matter.
In response, Mwila told the court that his forgiveness was coming from his heart and was sure of what he was doing.
“Your honour, I have not been induced to withdraw the matter. I just want to forgive him,” he said.
In passing ruling on the matter, magistrate Chuulu said since the complaint had insisted that he had made a decision to withdraw the matter, the law does not stop people from doing so.
He said the law allows a person to be acquitted according to section 204 of the criminal procedure code of conduct.
Meanwhile, magistrate Chuulu warned Haisheng to restrain himself next time he picks an argument with anyone adding that if he commits another case, the courts will not allow the complaint to withdraw the matter.
She warned that the Chinese should not take advantage of the Zambian workers in any way saying the law in Zambia will not defend anyone found wanting.
Kabwe Warriors skipper Roderick Kabwe has hailed his team’s promotion to the Faz Super Division.
Kabwe said it was not easy for Warriors to bounce back to the top flight league just a year after suffering demotion.
“For us as players it is a very big achievement. It was our target to bounce back into premier league, so we are very happy,” he said.
“Football in division one is very tough. It is not easy, you know with bad pitches,” Kabwe added.
The midfielder hoped that Warriors would excel in the Super Division next season.
“We are hoping that we can continue with the same form even in the Super League. We thank God we managed to bounce back within a year. We fought as a team we won as a team,” Kabwe stated.
President Michael Sata today met MMD members of parliament currently serving in Government. This is according to a media statemet released by State house. According to the statement , the rationale behind the meeting held at State House this morning was to discuss issues of development in their constituencies and how best they can collaborate with Government on such and other related matters.
The statement went on to say that it was President Sata’s considered view and passion that there must be serious joint efforts across party lines to consolidate the nation’s new developmental path and as such his doors remained open to all parliamentarians wishing to engage Government on issues concerning the areas and people they represent.
The Head of State reiterated his appreciation of the progressive and patriotic attitude exhibited by the MMD parliamentarians currently serving in Government.
” President Sata regards the parliamentarians as forward-thinking allies in the struggle to achieve the development goals set by the Patriotic Front (PF), such as unlimited access to education and health for all, sustained economic growth, job creation, equal distribution of resources and rural development.”
“During the meeting, the parliamentarians pledged their loyalty and support to the PF Government under the guidance of President Sata in working towards developing the country”, read the statement.
The MMD members of parliament who attended the meeting were Hon. Keith Mukata [Chilanga], Hon. Richard Taima [Solwezi East], Hon. Josephine Limata [Luampa], Hon. Dr. Patrick Chikusu [Katuba], Hon. David Phiri [Mkaika], Hon. Nicholas Banda [Kapoche], Hon. Elijah Muchima [Mwinilunga West], Hon. Patrick Ngoma [Feira] and Hon. Forrie Tembo [Nyimba].
The meeting was also attended by newly elected Mufumbwe PF member of parliament Hon. Stephen Masumba who was accompanied his campaign manager, and Mandevu PF member of parliament Hon. Jean Kapata.
A suspected mentally ill patient of Kitwe was on yesterday afternoon stoned to death by angry residents after he stabbed three people with a knife one of whom died.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela in a statement released to QFM News says the incident happened around 15:00 hours at the market area in Wusakile township.
Ms Kanjela says Joe Buka attacked a woman and started beating her with a plank, and when some people tried to stop him, he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed three of them.
She says Lenard Banda aged 28 of house No.C5-233 Wusakile was stabbed in the stomach forcing his intestines to come out.
Ms Kanjela says the victim was later rushed to Kitwe Central Hospital where he died upon arrival.
She says also stabbed was Victor Kalombo of house No.D35 Wusakile who sustained cuts on his back and Sai Mwansa of unknown address who sustained deep cuts on both hands and are both admitted to Kitwe Central Hospital.
Ms Kanjela explains that the mob later stoned Joe to death and that his body is in Kitwe Central hospital.
An identified Driver for a truck Registration Number ABV2596 being bundled in a Police van for ferrying cadres who wanted to disturb the PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba official opening of the Party Provincial Indaba
THE seven people arrested in Kasama during Patriotic Front (PF) PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba’s visit to Northern Province have been fined and released.
Of the seven believed to be supporters of Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, five were picked up at Kasama Airport and two at Kasama Lodge after they clashed with PF cadres that were on hand to welcome Mr Kabimba.
Northern Province police chief Mary Chikwanda said the group was released from custody after paying an admission of guilt fine of K50,000 each.
On Saturday,quick action by police officers rescued a driver of a truck that ferried Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba’s supporters from lynching by Patriotic Front (PF) members that went to welcome PF secretary general Wynter Kabimbaat Kasama Lodge.
Mr Kabimba’s visit was marked by a heavy police presence with some officers carrying assault rifles and clad in bullet proof vests.
The driver of an army-green Saurer truck registration number ABV 2596 that ferried supporters carrying a banner proclaiming support for Mr Mwamba commonly known as GBM attracted the ire of PF members that were on hand to welcome Mr Kabimba.
However, PF party members that were getting ready to proceed to the provincial consultative forum venue where Mr Kabimba delivered his keynote speech got angry and confronted the driver of truck asking who had sent him.
Before the confrontation could get physical, police officers whisked him away from Kasama lodge where Mr Kabimba had stopped briefly upon arrival before proceeding for his scheduled meeting with PF party officials.
Police then bundled Mr Mwamba’s supporters and some other PF cadres into another parked truck registration number ALB 4328 and drove them to the police station.
However, only the drivers were detained while the occupants went scot free.
Some of the banner carrying youths who escaped the haul by the police said in an interview that the truck went to their township and they told “to go and welcome GBM and his opponent Mr Kabimba”.
One of the youths James Banda said they were told to sing solidarity songs and that they would be given a K100,000 each afterwards.
Earlier, other pro-GBM supporters had anchored at a bar called Ichibwato on the road leading to the airport waving an assortment of banners all declaring support for GBM.
Some of the banners read: “Thank You President Michael Chilufya Sata for Giving Us GBM as MP” another read “Kasama Residents for GBM” while others praised the Kasama Central Member of Parliament for fostering development in the town.
A car drives past a village towards the Zambia-Mozambique border in Milanzi
I recently visited the Zambia Revenue Authority website to try and find out how much it will cost me to land a vehicle in Zambia. I was also interested in knowing something about Property Transfer Tax.
To my surprise, the statements that ZRA have put on their website are too tentative for business. The policy does not come across as reliable as one would expect of it to be. For example, why should the quoted figures for specific data that a prospective customer enters to import goods in Zambia be for guidance only?
That kind of principle is no principle. One needs to work with concrete figures when it comes to paying for services received. This “guidance only” statement often can lead to distress on the part of a customer, who has probably prepared only so much to clear the goods, and only to be charged more than one prepared to pay.
Consequently, because one does not want to forfeit their property,they are forced to plead with a government officer at ZRA to reduce the tax, or one will be forced to enter into negotiation with an officer so that one can pay only what they can afford. This should not be allowed. One must not go to an office not knowing how much they have to pay. Nor should anyone be made to negotiate because they have been quoted too much tax.
This policy at ZRA leaves too much room for a member of the public to get entangled with an officer in a corrupt way.
I would like to appeal to the Zambian government and ZRA in particular to issue statements that have certainty. Put things in black and white, and make the policies reliable and user friendly.
In countries where government departments are fighting corruption,they give you exact details, so that you know exactly what you should pay or expect to get from them. Then they say, if there is anything else we can do for you let us know.
I urge ZRA to address this concern. It is the only source of information upon which some people, particularly those abroad will ever base their spending decisions in exporting good or property to Zambia. If the information is for guidance only, what are the correct details people should use to make their decisions?
Faz Super Division Champions Zanaco coach Keagan Mumba has recounted that winning the 2012 league title was tough.
Mumba’s Zanaco on Saturday won the league in grand style beating favourites and defending champions Power Dynamos to the title on the final day of the competition.
Mumba acknowledged that runners-up Power gave his side a good run.
“It was a hard fought battle, Power deserve to be congratulated as defending champions ,” Mumba said.
“For us it was going to be painful after leading the league for so many weeks and lose it. We have been consistent this season,” he said.
Mumba added that he was overwhelmed with various congratulatory massages he has received from his fellow coaches.
“I am deeply humbled that coaches are phoning me and congratulating me, among them Beston Chambeshi the coach for Power,
Wedson Nyirenda, Masautso Mwale and Mukuka Musonda just to mention a few”.
He also hailed his players for the achievement and saluted his technical bench plus the club management
MMD youths have attributed their loss in the recent Mufumbwe bye election to the dishonest manner in which its alliance partner, the UPND conduct itself in the run up to the election.
MMD Diehard Youths National Coordinator Bowman Lusambo charged that the UPND abandoned the MMD campaign team and did not mobilise its supporters to vote for MMD candidate Stanford Mulusa.
“The UPND put butter on the faces of Zambians saying they are working with the MMD, there was no alliance on the ground. It was just butter on the faces of Zambians,” Lusambo said.
He revealed that only one UPND councilor from Mapushi Ward worked tirelessly with the MMD camp until the results were announced.
“We agree with what UPND Vice President Kapita said that the UPND can never work with the MMD, its true and we saw it in Mufumbwe. UPND is dishonest and untrustworthy.”
Mr. Lusambo also advised the UPND to change its way of politics and embrace people from other regions if it is to make meaningful contribution to national development.
The UPND and MMD failed to grab the Mufumbwe seat even after fielding in a joint candidate in the bye election which was retained by Steven Masumba on the PF ticket.
Meanwhile, UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo said that the UPND was not in a political pact with MMD and that what existed was a mere working relationship on issues of national interest such as the National Budget in Parliament.
“MMD should not cry over spilt milk because they will never win. And I wish to state that there has never been any pact with the UPND. This message must be very clear and the loss of the Mufumbwe seat by MMD is the beginning of a serious defeat and downfall,” Mr Lifwekelo said.
[pullquote]“The UPND put butter on the faces of Zambians saying they are working with the MMD, there was no alliance on the ground. It was just butter on the faces of Zambians,” Lusambo said.[/pullquote]
He said the Mufumbwe loss signalled that the MMD was sinking and if its leader Nevers Mumba was not careful, the former ruling party would never bounce back to power.
Mr Lifwekelo said before they went to Mufumbwe, MMD vice president Micheal Kaingu made it clear that his party was popular in that area and was confident of scooping the seat because of its popularity.
He said UPND gave an opportunity for MMD to contest the Mufumbwe seat and could not see concrete reasons why Dr Kaingu could owe his party’s loss to UPND when there was no political pact formed.
“If it wasn’t for our president Hakainde Hichilema who campaigned for MMD in Mufumbwe on four rallies, MMD wouldn’t have managed to get their 5,000 votes or evening emerging second after PF’s Steven Masumba emerged winner in the by-election,” he said
Mr Lifwekelo said, out of the 5,000 votes MMD managed to get, about 3,000 came as a result of Mr Hichilema and his UPND leadership to help campaign for MMD which could appreciate that fact.
He said MMD should not shift the blame on its loss by alleging that Mr Hichilema campaigned for himself in Mufumbwe for 2016 general elections in view of sentiments issued by Dr Kaingu.
[pullquote]Mr Lifwekelo said, out of the 5,000 votes MMD managed to get, about 3,000 came as a result of Mr Hichilema and his UPND leadership to help campaign for MMD which could appreciate that fact.[/pullquote]
He said MMD should instead thank UPND for its efforts to help with Mufumbwe campaigns though the two parties had never formed a pact but were merely on a working relationship that could break.
During the recent by-election in Livingstone, he said, MMD’s Dr Mumba only campaigned for UPND for one rally in a few minutes but UPND was not grieved but continued campaigning till it won the seat.
He said MMD’ leadership skills was not impressive and should not blame UPND for its failures adding that UPND would not drag itself to allow MMD rode on its back during the 2016 elections.
“As UPND, we say no to MMD to ride on our back. We shall not even allow ourselves to be rode on our back by MMD.MMD is now a finished party and its loss of Mufumbwe seat is the beginning of defeat and if not careful will not even bounce in power again,” he said
He said MMD was headed for doom and it was the reason that most of the MMD Members of Parliament (MPs) were being appointed into Cabinet due to lack of proper leadership in the party
University Teaching Hospital-UTH- Managing Director, Dr. Lackson Kasonka, says the case in which a one year old baby died due to alleged negligence of medical personnel is now a closed chapter.
Baby Francis Bwalya junior who was admitted at the UTH intensive care unit died on October 8th 2012.
This followed the rotting of his right hand after a named medical officer at the country’s highest referral health institution tightened the infant’s right hand with a plaster with a view of locating a vein and inserting a carnula.
The infant was left tied overnight leading to the hand turning black and brittle.
Following the baby’s death Dr. Kasonka could not release the report to establish the cause of death stating that he was still studying it.
However, the baby’s mother has denied ever having settled the matter with UTH management and has since threatened to take legal action.
State House has cautioned mining firms on the Copperbelt Province to be wary of the unscrupulous persons that are obtaining money whilst masquerading as representatives of President Michael Sata.
The warning is contained in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.
Mr Chellah said this follows numerous, reports and complaints reaching the presidency that there are fraudsters who are obtaining money or some benefits by circulating deception from emerald mines amid claims of being sent by the PF and the Head of State in particular.
He said State House firmly states that President Sata can never send an individual to undertake such a deceitful task, and does not intend to do so in future.
He said, therefore, State House wishes to warn the general public that those dealing with such cheats must realise that they are engaging them in their personal capacity and State House will not take responsibility of any such transactions.
Mr Chellah further said the word of caution to those behind this disgraceful, crooked and irresponsible behaviour is for them to stop at once before they meet the penalty for their deeds.
He has since urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to take keen interest in the matter and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has insisted that there is no power struggles within the ruling party.
Mr. Kabimba who described Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba as a colleague in the party and not an enemy said the reported power struggle in the PF is imaginary.
“There is no such a thing as power struggle in our party, what we have is a mere difference of opinion which is healthy in any given organisation,” Mr. Kabimba said.
Mr. Kabimba who is also Justice Minister said the perceived differences with Mr. Mwamba are purely based on principle.
“The only difference I see here is that some people are in government for different reasons. For us the PF is a vehicle we used to get into government to serve the poor Zambians but some of our friends want to use the same vehicle to enrich themselves. That is the difference we see,” said Mr. Kabimba.
Mr. Kabimba was speaking yesterday when he featured on a live radio programme on Radio Mano in Kasama.
He was in Kasama to officially open a one day PF regional indaba which was called to chart the development path for the province.
He there is no member of the PF who is more important than the other as every member of the party is equally important.
“Nobody should be allowed to think they played a bigger role than any other person, even Villager in Kaputa who supported PF, a youth in Chimbamilonga who spent a night at a polling station on the voting so that the MMD does not steal our votes played the same role as I did myself as Secretary General.”
“I don’t subscribe to the theory that there is this relativity in terms of played a bigger role and who played a lessor role in the revolution, the aggregate of what we played in what gave us the results, these are not shares in a company, it was a revolution,” he said.
“We are all important, there is no member who is bigger than the party, maybe in Kg’s yes,” he said.
An A380 Emirates jet bound for Dubai was forced to return to Australia on Sunday night when one of its engines caught fire soon after take-off.
The flight, with 380 passengers on board, was just 20 minutes into its flight from Sydney to Dubai and climbing at an altitude of 10,000 feet when it experienced a problem with one of its engines.
“Emirates flight EK413 from Sydney to Dubai on 11 November turned back shortly after take-off due to an engine fault. Passengers are being re-booked on alternative flights,” the airline said in a statement on Monday.
A mid-air engine blowout in November 2010 on an A380 using Rolls Royce Trent engines prompted Australia’s Qantas Airlines to ground its entire fleet of Airbus superjumbos for nearly a month.
Emirates, the world’s biggest user of A380s, uses rival GP7200 engines built by Engine Alliance, a joint venture between engine manufacturers General Electric and Pratt & Whitney.
Passengers on the giant double-deck aircraft, manufactured by Airbus parent EADS, said the superjumbo experienced a “judder” and then they saw flames shooting several metres out of one of the engines.
“I saw a flash. I thought it could have been lightning, but then we saw flames come out of the engine. The whole interior of the A380 lit up,” passenger John Fothergill, 49, from New Zealand told Australia’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Emirates apologised for the inconvenience to its passengers and said their safety was “of the highest priority and will not be compromised.”
Superjumbos, worth $375 million apiece, typically carry around 525 passengers.
A380 aircraft, manufactured in Toulouse from parts sourced across Europe, have also been affected by cracks in the wings of a small number of planes.
There are eighteen airlines currently using the aircraft with total orders outstanding for 262.
