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Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba has been ruled of Saturday crucial 2013 Africa Cup qualifier away to Uganda in Kampala because of injury.
TP Mazembe revealed that Kalaba sustained a groin injury in his Congolese side’s 0-0 Africa Champions League semi-final draw against Esperance on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe team doctor Taha Messaoud told BBC Sport:”He needs a minimum seven days to be back in training. His injury is not too bad but he needs a lot of care. It will be very difficult for him to play by weekend.”
Confirming his injury, Kalaba said he was disappointed to miss the decisive Africa Cup qualifier.
“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify,people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders,” said Kalaba.
Zambia set up camp in South Africa on Sunday ahead of the Uganda match and trained on Monday.
Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba has been ruled of this Saturday’s crucial 2013 Africa Cup qualifier against Uganda in Kampala because of injury.
TP Mazembe revealed that Kalaba sustained a groin injury in his Congolese side’s 0-0 Africa Champions League semi-final draw against Esperance on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe team doctor Taha Messaoud told BBC Sport:”He needs a minimum seven days to be back in training. His injury is not too bad but he needs a lot of care. It will be very difficult for him to play by weekend.”
Confirming his injury, Kalaba said he was disappointed to miss the decisive Africa Cup qualifier.
“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify,people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders,” said Kalaba.
Zambia set up camp in South Africa on Sunday ahead of the Uganda match and trained on Monday.
BBC reports that Fifa has stripped Sudan of its 2-0 win against Zambia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier because one of its scorers was ineligible to play.
The disciplinary committee of football’s world governing body ruled that Saif Ali should not have played in the 2 June game in Khartoum.
Zambia protested that Ali played despite receiving yellow cards in previous competitive matches, including when Zambia beat Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in February.
Fifa declared the match “lost by forfeit by Sudan,” awarding Zambia a 3-0 victory and with it the three points for a win.
The Sudan football association has also been fined US$6,430.
Zambia now leads Group D with six points from two matches, and Sudan falls to third place with one point.
Ghana are in second place with three points while Lesotho are bottom with a single point.
Meanwhile, Rainford Kalaba has been ruled of this Saturday’s crucial Africa Cup qualifier between Zambia and Uganda in Kampala because of injury.
TP Mazembe revealed that Kalaba sustained a groin injury in his Congolese side’s 0-0 Africa Champions League semi-final draw against Esperance on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe team doctor Taha Messaoud told BBC Sport:”He needs a minimum seven days to be back in training. His injury is not too bad but he needs a lot of care. It will be very difficult for him to play by weekend.”
Confirming his injury, Kalaba said he was disappointed to miss the decisive Africa Cup qualifier.
“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify,people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders,” said Kalaba.
Zambia set up camp in South Africa on Sunady ahead of the Uganda match and trained on Monday.
President Sata waves at PF party officials and Government officials at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before his departure for Tokyo, Japan
President Michael Sata has left for Japan for an official visit.
President Sata who is accompanied by First Lady Christine Kaseba and Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations George Chellah left aboard Ethiopian Airlines at 15:40hrs Monday afternoon.
He was seen off by vice president Guy Scott and Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda.
While in Japan, President Sata will have a series of meetings.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Margaret Bwanga Miyoba has told journalists that the President will also meet with the Prime Minister of Japan and the Emperor.
Ms Miyoba says President Sata will on 15th October proceed to South Korea where he will deliver a key note address at the third Korea-Africa Summit.
The Summit will enhance development cooperation between South Korea and Africa.
The President is expected to return to Zambia on the 19th of October, 2012.
MMD President Nevers Mumba has observed that the decision by the privately owned Post Newspapers to side with the ruling PF has created a void in the dissemination of information.
Dr. Mumba said it is disappointing that the first time in the history of the Third Republic, the Post Newspapers has taken the role of not only promoting the Government but also primarily defending most of its decisions and style of its government.
“No administration since 1991 has ever had its first 12 months so well supported by the Post, since this is the right of the private media, we have no intention to ask them to change it and we infact respect their right to support PF,” he said.
He added, “I believe, I represent the disappointment of many well-meaning Zambians in acknowledging the void and lost opportunity that this decision has created.”
Dr. Mumba said never has there been such a time as now that a balanced public media is needed to help promote a vibrant debate on important matters.
“Zambians have always depended on the valuable role that this most influential private newspaper has played in the last 20 years, the Post has done this by holding the government accountable and providing a platform for the opposition and civil society to express views which would not otherwise be allowed on ZNBC, Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail,” Dr. Mumba said.
Dr. Mumba was speaking in Lusaka today during a news briefing on the “State of the Nation” to review the performance of the PF one year in office.
Some Kalabo residents have demanded for the inclusion of a one kwacha note on the list of the new kwacha notes and coins.
The residents are opposed to the introduction of a kwacha coin .
This came to light during a three – day mobile sensitization meetings held by officials from the Bank of Zambia on the new Kwacha notes and coins due to be introduced on January 1, 2013.
This was after some residents observed through specimens that the one kwacha would be in coin form and not in note form, hence the demand for all currencies above ninety-nine ngwee to be in note form for easy conversion and convenience.
During the same sensitization campaign , the residents also demanded for mobile ZAMPOST facilities from the 1st of January, 2013 to the 30th of June, 2013 to enable them easily exchange their old currency for the new currency.
They said this could help solve the problem of walking long distances as some people lived in remote areas where it takes them at least four days to walk from Kalabo Boma where ZAMPOST is located .
And the Bank of Zambia officials said they had noted the concerns raised by the residents.
Meanwhile, The Bank of Zambia has sent a team to Namwala District of southern Province to carry out a sensitization campaign on the rebasing of the Zambian Kwacha.
The exercise is aimed at making the people understand the advantages of rebasing and how the rebased currency would work once introduced next year in January 2013.
The three man team is comprised of Kizzy Moonga Assistant Director Procurement, Martin Mwiinga Senior Economist, and Royd Manenga Senior Statistical officer.
The team leader Mr, Moonga said that he is very happy with the response from the Namwala community.
The team has so far done its campaign for rebasing in Namwala central market , kopa compound , baambwe in chief mukobela’s area and in maala in chief mungaila’s area.
The team Is today expected to do its campaign program in Moobola, itapa, muchila in Chief Muchila’s area and chitongo, kabulamwanda and Niko area of Chief Nalumbamba’s area.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has advised the church to desist from commenting on the preliminary investigations into the alleged cases of corruption involving two ministers Wynter Kabimba and Geoffrey Mwamba respectively.
Mr. Sakeni said it is premature for the church to call on the Republican President Michael Sata to drop the two ministers to pave way for transparent investigations as the matter has not yet been verified.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today Mr. Sakeni who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said government would not take action based on allegations saying acting on assumption would result in government dropping the entire cabinet.
The Information Minister also called on the church to exercise patience and allow for the Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC) to do its work without undue interference.
He further said ACC is only conducting preliminary investigations to seek credence into the matter and that it was only prudent for members of the public to await verification to which government will take action.
He has since called on the clergy to instead concentrate on playing the role of uniting the nation.
The minister was reacting to calls by the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (ECZ) on President Michael Sata to consider dropping the two minister accused of corrupt practices, from their ministerial positions to allow for transparent investigations.
The two ministers are currently under investigations following complaints made to the ACC about alleged corruption by the duo.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba says he will not hesitate to quit as minister should the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) establish corrupt elements in the allegations against him.
Mr Kabimba is alleged through his company to have acted as middlemen for Trafigura in the oil contract awarded by government.
Mr. Kabimba who is also Patriotic Front Secretary General has however charged that he will not be influenced by media reports to quit his position to pave way for investigations.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia has asked President Michael Sata to allow Mr. Kabimba and his defence counterpart Geoffrey Mwamba to step down in view of investigations surrounding their alleged corrupt activities.
Mr. Kabimba was speaking to journalists in Lusaka this morning.
And Mr. Kabimba has expressed confidence that the PF adopted candidate for Mufumbwe Parliamentary by-election Steven Masumba will deliver victory to the ruling party.
He says the ruling party has gained ground in Mufumbwe and further calls for peaceful campaigns ahead of the pools.
Mr. Kabimba has also challenged political parties taking part in the by-elections to denounce violence and commit to issue based campaigns.
The artist known as Elaka is a Zambian born singer, songwriter, actress, model, designer, and entrepreneur . This young pioneer leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the endless talent she possesses. Amongst her many talents her main love is music, it has always been Elaka’s dream to be able to write and perform her music. She says: “I feel like I come alive when I am either in the studio or holding that mic in front of an audience, it’s an exhilarating experience” With the fortunate heritage of being Zambian and the privilege of living in the UK, she gets the opportunity to experiment with her identity as a Zambian mixed with an English culture through her music.
Elaka does not like to be compared to other artists as she feels that each artist is unique in their creativity she says: “that’s what helps us maintain our individuality, I have a different vocal style, my range is vast it bridges 4 octaves but in most cases I like to keep it simple but interesting, I try not to limit myself or get pigeon holed, that just wouldn’t be me”.
Her voice allows her the ability to experiment with various genres of music, and like her voice her sound is not genre specific either. She writes songs about her emotions and her life’s journey, observations from others and her own personal experiences, and lets the sound take her wherever that emotion goes.
A lot of people are probably wondering who Elaka is, and where she came from. She has actually been around for a while, and has kept it reasonably low key in regards to her music. She used this time to nurture her talent and to learn more about the industry. This time also allowed her the opportunity to build up on her talents mentioned above. She is now a proud owner of a 2010 BEFFTA award winning branding and marketing company Effycom Productions , a 2010 two time BEFFTA nominated Beauty Pageant Queen Of Zambia UK which aids in promoting Zambians around the world and also help various charities in particular the ones in Zambia, a clothing line Elrhy Clothing and in 2009 was a cast member of the UK independent movie Find Her Keep Her.
Before 2011 Elaka had the privilege of performing on the same stage as some of UK and Zambia’s top artists such as Sway, Devlin, Fumin, Chipmunk, Bashy, Omar, Shola Ama, Ghetts, Tinchy Stryder just to name a few; and from Zambia Mozegeta, K’Million, Petersen, Danny, Angela Nyirenda, MC Wabwino, the Late Lilly T and many more.
Having been hard at work with redefined fresh material for 2011/12, the release of her promo single I Can’t Let You Go, which is available for digital download, with a follow up to release her debut single titled ‘My Africa‘ which is now available for digital download. With a number of collaborations already in the pipeline with African and UK artists, it seems Elaka is the hot Afro/Euro artist to look out for .
THE MUSIC
“I cant let you go”
Elaka released a video for her song “My Africa” that features Ghanian artist Samson Marley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Picd1fqSPY0
Directed By Nord Graham Car, Aliajay Entertainment/ Starmovies Productions “Elaka’s My Africa FT Samson Marley. “Screen Play” by Nord Graham Car.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has expressed displeasure at the manner the top leadership of the MMD in the has handled the Mufumbwe by-election consultative process.
In a statement released to ZANIS in Livingstone yesterday, UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo, said the party is deeply disappointed with the unprofessional and deceitful application of arm-twisting tactics being applied by the MMD top leadership over the matter.
And the UPND has noted that the former ruling party caused the forth-coming by election through the defection of its member, Steven Masumba, to the ruling party Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Lifwekelo advised the MMD to be concerned about its MPs who have continued to accept ministerial appointments with nine of its MPs currently serving in the PF government.
He stated that UPND MPs have remained intact even after extreme provocation and intimidation from the PF.
“While UPND and its leadership have demonstrated total restraint in the discussions, the MMD top leadership has continued to undermine the process by disregarding the rules of engagement with impunity rendering the whole process an academic exercise”, the statement read in part.
The deputy spokesperson charged that the MMD top leadership has continued to attack and ridicule the UPND leadership every time they have been given an opportunity to talk to the media.
Mr Lifwekelo noted that it has become clear that the current discussion with the MMD faces an enormous crisis of credibility following continued attacks on the UPND leadership by its top brass.
He appealed to the MMD top leadership to give a chance to the process and stop undermining and demonizing the UPND leadership.
“Our advice to the former ruling party, MMD, is that UPND reserves the right to exist as a political party and the fact that we want to work with the MMD on matters of national importance in parliament should not be taken as a sign of weakness”, he said.
He observed that the party is under extreme pressure from its general membership to go it alone after coming under heavy criticism from the MMD top leadership.
Mr Lifwekelo added that the UPND and its president, Hakainde Hichilema, remain committed to the process and the MMD must remain susceptible to the rule of engagement.
File:Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba (in white) is helped to disembark an army gun carrier after practicing how to shoot during the sound of war officer cadets battle demonstration in Ndola
The former campaign manager for Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Mwamba, in the last year’s tripartite elections, has appealed to the media to give a balanced coverage to the alleged corruption cases involving two cabinet ministers.
Nathan Ilunga says the media has a big role to play in informing the public correctly on the corruption investigations against Mr Mwamba and his counterpart, Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba.
Mr Ilunga, however, said he is concerned that so far, the media coverage has tended focus on Mr Mwamba’s corruption case in their reporting while allegedly down-playing that of Mr Kabimba.
He observed that as a result, a negative perception is being created that Mr Mwamba is guilty even before the investigations are concluded by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).
Mr Ilunga charged that there is no need for Mr Mwamba to resign from his ministerial position as Defence Minister.
He explained that Mr Mwamba has been in business for a long time and accusations of him being corrupt were being peddled by his enemies with selfish interests.
Mr Ilunga claimed that mere allegations of corruption against Mr Mwamba should not force him to resign from Government.
He urged Mr Mwamba to remain strong and clear his name from corruption allegations levelled against him.
Last week, the ACC announced that it had launched preliminary investigations into corruption allegations against Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba, and Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba.
FILE: MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka.
MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba has challenged President Michael Sata to suspend Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba and his Justice counterpart Wynter Kabimba who are facing corruption investigations.
Dr. Mumba said President Sata should listen to his own advice which he used to give to serving Presidents when he was in opposition each time corruption allegations involving government officials surfaced.
“We appeal to President Sata to listen to his own advice and suspend his two Ministers, the Ministries of Justice and Defence are key at the governance of every nation and we don’t want such allegations present at these two Ministries,” Dr. Mumba said.
He was speaking in Lusaka this morning at the Radisson Blu when he delivered a “State of the Nation” address on the past one year of the PF in power.
The MMD leader also catalogued a list of election promises that the PF has failed to honour in its one year in office.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me remind you and the people of Zambia of some of the pertinent promises made by this new government,” he said.
“I have highlighted only 10 of the promises and these are as follows;
millions of Jobs will be created,
more money in your pockets in 90 days,
a finalized constitution in 90 days,
the restoration of the Barotseland agreement within 90 days,
chase the Chinese investors who were referred to as ‘infestors”.”
“They promised to reduce the size of government in order to reduce cost,
they promised to enact the Freedom of Information Bill in 90 days,
ensure fair coverage of all opposing views in the public owned media,
they also promised to fight corruption by the re-enactment of the abuse of office clause in 90 days which they have achieved but way past the 90 day period,” he said.
appointment to the civil service will be on merit.
Dr. Mumba lambasted the PF government for appointing ill qualified and uneducated party cadres in the diplomatic service contrary to their promises that appointment to the civil service will be on merit.
“Please take note that no one promised the PF to make these promises, they made these undertakings in order to give the impression to the Zambians that the problems of the country were actually very simple and easy to fix,” he said.
He charged that the PF has lamentably failed to honour most of the election promises adding that they won the elections through deceit and lies.
The recovered items are offloaded at Lusaka Magistrates court complex
The lives of more than 300 cancer patients listed for routine checks at the Cancer Hospital in Lusaka remain in danger as they have not received their therapy for the past four days following last week’s theft of computers and various vital accessories.
Police have so far arrested five suspects in the theft of the K1.5 billion worth of hospital equipment.
University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Managing Director Lackson Kasonka has made a passionate appeal to the courts to expeditiously handle the theft case involving the computers so that treatment of the affected patients could be resumed and operations normalised at the US$10 million specialist cancer treatment centre.
A cardinal component that had hampered the hospital services was the memory drive, which stored dates for the patients that had undergone CT-Scan.
“The department has closed entirely because it cannot function at all without the stolen equipment. Therefore, everyone scheduled to receive treatment is being turned away and some of them come from far places,” Dr Kasonka said.
He said he was concerned over the lives of the cancer patients and that it was important that the matter was expeditiously dealt with in the courts so that the machines could be reinstalled.
Under the circumstances, the equipment would have to be held on and adduced in court as evidence in the case involving the five suspects behind the theft.
“We can’t rule out that the lives of the cancer patients who are supposed to undergo therapy in the past four days are in danger, of course because of the continued absence of the computers. I can hope that this matter is expeditiously concluded so that the equipment can be restored. The recovered equipment is in police custody being kept as evidence in the meantime,” Dr Kasonka said.
He said the other alternative was to contact suppliers of the equipment to supply a new kit which was worth K8 billion but this avenue could take more than two weeks.
“This is another option that we can take, but due to import procedures this can take about two weeks. That is why I am hoping this case can be urgently concluded. This was a theft against the nation because people are suffering as a result of this,” he said.
He praised police for making quick headways in recovering the stolen property which had raised more questions as to the motive of the theft.
And Lusaka Province Police chief, Solomon Jere confirmed in a separate interview the arrest of the fifth suspect during a late-night Saturday operation in Lusaka’s Chunga Township.
In the process, more equipment was found with the latest suspect.
“We had an operation and apprehended another male suspect in the theft of the hospital equipment bringing the number of suspects to five now,” Dr Jere said.
Among the equipment that were stolen were the computer, five monitors and two key boards labeled GRZ-CDH.
Others were a safe belonging to the Zambia Institute for Diplomatic Studies, 16 unused cheque books while the suspects were also found in possession of breaking-in tools.
Government says motorised escorts are only exclusive to the Republican President and Vice-President,while ministers can access the privilege in some circumstances.
Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said the issue of motorised escorts must not be misunderstood because ministers sometimes request for escorts, in view of their tight schedules.
A motorised escort is a convoy of motor vehicles carrying very important persons and security personnel.
“It is normal once in a while for a minister to be escorted but not on a permanent basis,” Mr Sakeni, who is also minister of information and broadcasting said in an interview.[pullquote]The people entitled to motorised escorts are the President and Vice President, but it sometimes happens especially for the Defence and Home Affairs ministers when need arises[/pullquote]
Recent media reports that some ministers have been using motorised escorts sparked a debate.
“The people entitled to motorised escorts are the President and Vice President, all ministers are not entitled and this can be traced from the independence days to date…but it sometimes happens especially for the Defence and Home Affairs ministers when need arises,” he said.
He said any minister can however also make arrangements for motorised escort, with the Inspector General of Police depending on the urgency of the trip.
Mr Sakeni said motorised escorts also apply to ordinary citizens during funeral processions.
“It is simply an administrative matter and it should not be connected to anything. Any minister can ask and police can help to rush them through traffic…this happens at the discretion of the Inspector General of Police and depending on the urgency of the matter, just like in some cases of funerals ,” he said.
Patriotic Front Central Committee Chairman for Transport Willie Nsanda addresses opposition MMD members who handed over their party cards and campaign materials when they defected to the PF in Chilanga
Lusaka Province Patriotic Front (PF) chairman Geoffrey Chumbwe has warned party members against creating camps within the party because the PF is all inclusive.
Mr Chumbwe said in Chilanga yesterday that there was only one camp, that of the PF and President Michael Sata.
He was speaking when he received 300 defectors from the MMD all from Chilanga Constituency Muyeye Ward at Ndozo Lodge.
He said he would not hesitate to fire anyone who belonged to any other camps besides that of President Sata and the PF Party.
“I am not interested in any camps, my interest is that of Michael Chilufya Sata and the Patriotic Front, We are all working for Michael Sata and the PF and nobody else. If I hear that you belong to this or that camp rather than for Michael Sata I will fire you,” he said.
He urged the newly recruited members to ensure they recruit as many people as possible to enable the party grow.
“PF is not a one party state, let’s make sure that we recruit as many people as possible, accommodate everyone,” he said.
And chairman for transport Willie Nsanda said during the same function that President Sata was eligible to stand for two terms and declared him for Presidency in 2016.
Mr Nsanda said as Mr Sata’s campaign manager, he would campaign for Sata in 2016 as he still had the mandate to stand for another term.
He advised those that had joined the party to form sections and serve the party in positions in the lower organs where they exercised their potential.
“Make sure that you create as many sections as possible to eventually form a branch and recruit as many people as possible. Do no worry about the position you are serving even if it’s in the lower organ because that is where your potential will be identified,” he said.
And representing the defectors, former MMD secretary for Muyeye ward Innocent Kabinda said the members decided to join the ruling PF because they wanted to be party of the development that the ruling party had initiated.
Mr Kabinda said Chilanga constituency had been neglected for a long time and the people were confident the PF would bring development to the constituency.
