Members of Parliament have expressed suspicions over the sim card registration exercise being conducted by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).

The parliamentarians said that ZICTA needed to urgently clear the strong perception amongst most citizens that the authority is working with the office of the president to listen into conversations.

Speaking during a meeting with chairpersons of parliamentary committees, organised by ZICTA, Monze central MP,who is chairman of the parliamentary committee on legal affairs, Jack Mwimbu said most people are resisting to register their sim cards because ZICTA has not put in place safeguards assuring non-interference with human rights.

And chairperson on the parliamentary committee on agriculture, Request Muntanga, who is also Kalomo central MP, said that he was one individual who has not yet seen the main essence of registering his sim card.

Mr. Muntanga said that without proper sensitization, ZICTA will be seen to be violating human rights.

And in response, ZICTA managing director Margaret Mudenda said that under the law the authority is operating, it has no power to interfere in any citizens personal privacy.

Mrs Mudenda said the impression that ZICTA has equipment that listens into conversations of subscribers is not true.

She said that the registration of sim cards is to ensure that the country is prepared for global trends stating that it would be unfortunate for the country not to participate in international best practices.

Mrs. Mudenda added that the authority’s collaboration is merely in line with legal frameworks and not to interfere in personal conversations of Subscribers.

QFM

The number of refugees entering Zambia from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Luapula Province has risen to more 900, Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba has said.The refugees are running away from that country to seek solace in Zambia because of intense fighting between the DRC forces and a rebel group known as Mai Mai.

Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu,Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Nickson Chilangwa were over the weekend in Luapula to find an alternative location were to keep the Congolese refugees.

The minister told journalists that the number of refugees at Kirwa Island in Nchelenge was 809 while Chiengi District was hosting more than 170.Scores of refugees were lodging in classrooms at Kirwa Island. In Chiengi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had provided them with tents.

Government has indicated intentions to move the Congolese refugees to Mwange Refugee Camp in Mporokoso.Home Affairs Deputy Minister Nickson Chilangwa said Government intends to relocate the 806 refugees on Kilwa Island and the 69 who have camped in Chienge to Mwange refugee camp. Mwange refugee camp which was opened in 1999 and was later closed by the United Nation High Commission for Refugees in 2010 has since been given to the Ministry of Youth and Sport as a resettlement scheme for the youths.The resettlement scheme is now a home to 40 Zambia National Service (ZNS) trained youths who are qualified in various life skills.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Nickson Chilangwa assured the youths at Mwange Refugee camp of safety once refugees move on the location.Mr. Chilangwa who was accompanied by Mporokoso District Commissioner Jenipher Chongo assured the youths that government will provide security by establishing a police post at the camp.Mr. Chilangwa said Government is looking for an alternative location near to DRC Congo where to keep the refugees and that Kala in Kawambwa is also being considered.

At least 1000 Congolese refugees have fled into Zambia following some political fights that have erupted between the Mai mai rebels and the
Government in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

[ZANIS]

By Passionate Educator

Editor, allow me to express my disappointment on some Provincial Education Officers, District Education Board Secretaries and other personnel for failing establish Career and Counseling department as instructed in the circular released on July 22, 2012. The circular said all learning institutions should be equipped with qualified people to carry out career activities so as to assist student, but until now nothing or little have been done.

It is clear that in Zambia Parents, administrators, teachers and students still wonder just what it is school counselors do on a daily basis. Why do we need school counsellors anyway? On a daily basis, school counselors are involved in character education, violence prevention, career planning and much more. In our nation, learners have benefited very little from the current system. School counselors are an important part of the educational leadership team and provide valuable assistance to students regardless of whether they work in an elementary school or middle school, high school or beyond. Today’s education requires school counsellors who are vital members of the education team and not ceremonial members as it has been. This is because they help all students in the areas of academic achievement,personal/social development and career development, ensuring today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

But in Zambia education gives students knowledge which they fail to apply in real life situations and this is a work of the career and guidance.
The minister is a psychologist he has more knowledge on this one and I strongly believe this department will be as important as those in UK
and USA.

In this regards, I call upon the Minister of Education and the newly appointed permanent secretary to ensure the functioning of career department in schools become a reality. They should also be motivating these service providers, pay them according to their qualification.Special responsibility allowance should only be given in special cases when the school do not have a qualified teacher in the subject. One wonders why the ministry of education have continued giving responsibility allowance to teachers offering career and counselling services to learners instead of calling those with relevant papers and stop resource wasting.

The unions should also take interest in this so that the education in Zambia can give learners what they need outside the classroom. They should also stand for those teachers with qualifications in Psychology, Guidance and Counseling and recognize the importance work they offer in learning institutions.

They have to be paid as per their qualification after all scales in the ministry are given in regards to certificate, diplomas and degrees not for subjects one offers. I hope PTUZ, ZNUT, SESTUZ AND BETUZ carry out this task which has never been tabled before and help their members.To you with qualifications in this field demand your dues from your able government since your representative have never done that. Hold union your union leaders responsible for being treated you like this for a long time.

As Zambia today joins the rest of the World in Commemorating the International Anti Corruption Day, the British government is disappointed with the acquittal of former Ministry of Health Human Resources Manager Henry Kapoko who was facing various counts of corruption.

British High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton has however welcomed the move by the Anti corruption Commission to appeal the Magistrate court’s decision.

Mr. Thornton says the Anti corruption Commission is the country’s cornerstone in the fight against graft and that his government looks forward to key financial management reforms in Zambia.

He says his government will help the country in bringing to justice those found wanting of corrupt practices.

And ACC Chairperson Judge Timothy Kabalata says with the prevailing political will shown by the PF government, the corruption crusade will yield positive results.

Judge Kabalata has since urged all Zambians to take an active role in ensuring that the vice is successfully eradicated.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Zambia Chapter Vice President Kalungu Mwansa says there is need to go beyond the domestication of International conventions against corruption and fight graft head on.

Mr. Mwansa observes that the fight against by the PF has not translated into tangible results.

QFM

President Michael Sata has praised the Church in Zambia for their dedicated role in assisting Government fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the nation.

President Sata said the Church in the country should be hailed for partnering with the Ministry of Gender and Child Development in eradicating GBV which has been on the increase in the country.

Mr Sata said this when he officiated at the Inter-Denomination Church Service marking the end of the commemoration of the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence held at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka today.

The Head of State also praised the United Nations System in Zambia which has also contributed greatly in the fight against the vice and urged them to continue with the good gesture.

Mr Sata said the 16 days of activism, which was held on the theme “Gender Based Violence (GBV) Zero Tolerance Now”, was in line with Government’s motives in fighting the ugly vice which he said needed to be tackled as a matter of urgency.

He stressed that Government draws a lot of strength from the support given by the Church in Zambia in trying to eradicate the vice.

“We are, therefore, more determined as Government and the nation at large to stand as one to create peace, harmony, joy and love so that every man, woman, boy or girl feels safer at home, outdoors and anywhere at any time in the nation,” President Sata said.

The Head of State further disclosed that Government has put in place measures in place to address such concerns and more effort is being directed to ensure that safety and peace among people in the nation are secured at all times.

Mr Sata also stressed that the church should continue praying for love, peace, joy and prosperity to continue abiding in all Zambians and residents alike, adding that Gender Based Violence goes against the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

“As Zambians, we need to defend the human rights of men, women, boys and girls whose lives have been turned upside down due to the painful impact of Gender Based Violence which usually manifest in fear, harm, destruction and murder,” he said.

He noted that such survivors depend on people’s voices so that their suffering and bondage can be removed, not just today, but forever.

And speaking earlier, Minister of Gender and Child Development, Inonge Wina, thanked President Sata for his tireless effort in fighting Gender Based Violence in the country.

Ms Wina said she is optimistic that the Patriotic Front administration will, as a matter of urgency, address the scourge in the quickest possible time.

She said there is no doubt that Government will fulfil the resolutions which were made at the Great Lakes Summit held in June, 2012, which declared zero tolerance to Gender Based Violence among member states.

The Gender Minister also thanked the church and co-operating partners for their marvellous support to Government in fighting the scourge.

Meanwhile, First Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, said Gender Based Violence should never be tolerated in the country.

Dr Kaunda, who narrated how he loved her 66 year old late wife, Betty, said his late wife was there for him in every situation and urged men and women in the country to emulate such behaviours.

The former Head of State also praised the First Lady, Christine Kaseba Sata, for her dedication in the fight against breast and cervical cancers as well as Gender Based Violence in the country

Dr Kaunda noted that whenever the First lady went for an international gathering outside the country, she always brought glory to the nation due to her marvellous works.

He urged Dr Kaseba to continue supporting her husband as he presides over the affairs of the beautiful nation, Zambia.

And Christian Council of Churches president, Alfred Kalembo, said women have suffered enough at the hands of ruthless husbands and called on those who perpetrate the vice to be dealt with severely.

Dr Kalembo said husbands and wives should learn to love one another if cases of Gender Based Violence were to be eradicated in Zambia.

He said the church should continue fighting the vice until it is eradicated completely in the nation for the victims to be able to enjoy their lives in a peaceful environment.

And Zambia Episcopal Conference Secretary General, Cleopas Lungu, who spoke on behalf of the three church mother bodies, said the church will not rest but continue working with Government and other co-operating partiers in fighting Gender Based Violence in the country.

Fr Lungu appealed to civil societies in the nation not to leave the fight against the vice to the church and Government alone but join hands together in order to win the battle.

He lamented that so many lives of late have been lost in the country and called on all those involved in the scourge to double their efforts in fighting Gender Based Violence.

ZANIS