Jay Rox released the video for the song “Nkalata” off his album Mvesesani , that features Dope G and Yung Verbal .
Video By Jamiel Banda For Jamiel Banda Pictures
“Myself and Zone Fam would like to show everyone our appreciation for the continued support and love we receive on a daily basis. The latest single off my album “Mvesesani” is Nkalata Produced by Dida Steez is a dedication to our fans who we consider fam…The song features Dope G and Yung Verbal on the hook! ” – Jay Rox
By Kapa187
The Civil Society members of the Taskforce on Freedom of Information (FOI) have expressed concern over government’s delay in giving a concrete position on the launch of the Draft Access to Information (ATI) Bill.
This is contained in a statement made available to the media.
The Civil Society members who include; Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ), Media Institute of Southern Africa (Zambia), Law Association of Zambia, University of Zambia and the Department of Mass Communication are dismayed that the Draft Bill which was scheduled to be launched first on the 21st June and then postponed to 26th June 2012 has to date not been launched and there has been no indication from government when the launch would take place.
These concerns have been raised in a letter addressed to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, dated 31st August 2012. The Civil Society members of the FOI Taskforce are urging government to avoid further delays but immediately launch the Draft Bill so that it can be released for public consultation and scrutiny.
We welcome the recent announcement by the Vice President Hon. Guy Scott that the Bill will be tabled before Parliament in February 2013, which to a certain extent has addressed the significant uncertainty following the second postponement of the launch.
The February 2013 timeline will provide the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services in collaboration with the FOI Taskforce adequate time for a thorough nationwide public consultation process which will accord citizens with sufficient time to make their input into the Access to Information Draft Bill.
The members have further observed that there is a lack of transparency around the ATI legislative process. Lack of transparency has the potential to jeopardize what has been attained in this important process so far. We are therefore suggesting that a more comprehensive timeline for the process be immediately made available, detailing the various stages of the process which should include the following milestones:
a. The launch of Draft Bill for public consultation,
b. Consolidation of the input from the public,
c. Presentation of the Bill to Cabinet,
d. Tabling of the bill in Parliament,
e. Eventual passing of the bill into law
Additionally we are concerned that there has not been a Taskforce meeting since 19th June 2011 resulting in the Taskforce now being considerably behind on its action plan.
Furthermore, we are concerned that, it is now two weeks since we wrote to the Minister’s office (Hon. Kennedy Sakeni) requesting for an update on the Launch of the draft Bill and possible meeting but there has been no response.
Lastly, the Civil Society Taskforce members wish to take the opportunity to thank the Government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services for instituting the FOI Taskforce. This action demonstrates its commitment to the enactment of the ATI Legislation in Zambia. However, it is the hope of the Civil Society members that the Minister will look into issues raised and accord them an opportunity to engage with him on this process.
Other members of the Task force include the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services and other line ministries such as Ministry of Justice. The World Bank has provided the Taskforce with technical assistance as required.
President Michael Sata has retired Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti in public interest. This is contained in a statement made available to the media by State House.
The President expressed gratitude to Mr. Chibiliti for the services he rendered to the nation during his tenure as head of the civil service.
And President Sata has appointed Dr Rowland Msiska as acting Secretary to the Cabinet. Until now, Dr Msiska has been serving as deputy Secretary to the Cabinet.
“I wish you well in this appointment and I am confident that you will perform to the expectations of the people of Zambia,” read President Sata’s letter to Dr Msiska in part.
Dr Msiska’s work experience spurns over two decades at global, regional and national level. He has worked as Global Systems Advisor [UNAIDS – Geneva], Chief Technical Advisor [UNDP – Senegal], Director Southern Africa Capacity Initiative [UNDP], Director HIV and Development for Africa [UNDP] and Executive Director for the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management among others.
The changes are with immediate effect.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda has revealed that part of the UDS 750 million raised from Zambia’s debut 10 year Eurobond will be used to recapitalize Zambia Railways.
And Zambia’s inaugural bond was yesterday oversubscribed by 24 times with foreign investors willing to lend the country up to USD 12 billion as appetite for Sub Saharan debt instrument grows.
Mr. Chikwanda told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that USD 120 million from the bond will go towards revamping the operations of the railway company.
He also revealed that a further USD 186 million from the bond will be used to pay for Zambia’s equity stake in the development of the Kafue Lower Power Station.
Mr. Chikwanda stated that the Nitrogen Chemicals will also benefit through capital injection from the money raised in yesterday’s bond issue.
He assured that government will prudently utilize the funds on infrastructural projects as outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan.
The Finance Minister has also promised to publish a list of projects that the funds will be used for and the schedule of disbursement to ensure transparency and accountability.
Mr. Chikwanda also reassured that the country’s foreign debt stock still remains sustainable even after the USD 750 million bond issue.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chikwanda has revealed that Zambia had to take up USD 750 million than the intended USD 500 million, the largest order book for Sub Saharan Africa this year but at 5.375% also the lowest coupon.
He explained that the successful first sovereign bond represents Zambia’s high rating by the international community.
The Finance Minister also cautioned some political groupings from politicizing the successful bond issuance saying credit should go to all Zambians.
Mr. Chikwanda said no politician should take credit for the success because development in Zambia will only happen if there is collective responsibility by all Zambians.
THE High Court will determine whether former President Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew and his co-accused Fratelli Locci were wrongly charged, a Lusaka magistrate’s court has ruled.
This is in a matter in which Banda and Locci, a director at an Italian construction company, Fratelli Locci, are jointly charged with two counts of gratification for giving assistance on contracts contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars in the first count a re that Andrew, being a public officer who was first secretary at the Zambian Embassy in Italy at the time and later deputy high commissioner to India, solicited and agreed to receive gratification from Locci amounting to two per cent of all monies paid to Frattelli Locci SRI by the Road Development Agency (RDA).
In the second count, it is alleged that Locci, on the same dates in Lusaka, agreed to give gratification to Andrew amounting to two per cent of all monies paid to Fratelli Locci SRI by RDA.
The duo through their lawyers Eric Silwamba and Sakwiba Sikota had asked Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda to quash their indictment on grounds that they were charged under the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act number 38 of 2010, which has been repealed by the recently enacted ACC Act number 3 of 2012.
But Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito, who is the lead prosecutor in the matter, argued that there was nothing wrong in charging Andrew and Locci using the repealed law because the law used was the one existing at the time the alleged offence was committed.
In his ruling yesterday, Magistrate Banda referred the matter to the High Court and halted the criminal proceedings against the pair pending the determination of the matter by the High Court.
He said it was inevitable that the matter be halted in the subordinate court while awaiting guidance by the High Court on constitutional matters arising from the case.
Magistrate Banda, however, said the same did not mean that the case had closed or collapsed.
He said it was his view that in the light of the question raised by the defence, theirs was a proper case for his court to invoke Article 28 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Zambia and refer the matter to the High Court.
“The question the High Court is being invited to determine is that of constitutionality of charging the accused persons on repealed legislation and the applicability of section 14(3) of Chapter 2 of the ACC Act,” Magistrate Banda said.
Magistrate Banda, however, said that he could not quash the indictment as prayed by the defence because doing so would be delving into what the defence had argued were constitutional issues and that would be stepping outside his jurisdiction.
“Obviously if I did that I will be stepping outside my jurisdiction. I am impotent to determine constitutional issues.
“Needless to state that the criminal proceedings shall inevitably be halted here as we await the guidance by the High Court. The case has not died neither has it collapsed. The status of the accused shall remain as it is. A1 on police bond and A2 on bail,” he said.
Magistrate Banda said according to the law, the criminal matter before a magistrate court could not continue until the question raised was resolved by the High Court.
Andrew and Locci would appear for mention on October 1, 2012.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema yesterday appeared for mention in a Lusaka magistrate’s court in the case in which he is charged for allegedly publishing false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public.
The court has since set October 1 to 5 this year as dates for possible commencement of trial.
This is in a case in which Hichilema has been charged with publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public, contrary to Section
67(1) (2) of the Penal Code CAP 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence were that on June 11, this year, Hichilema, 50, orally published statements in which he said, among others, that “the PF had signed an arrangement for the militia in Sudan to train PF youths. Prepare for trouble. Do you know what is going on in Darfur? Do you know what is going on in Abyei? Do you know what is going on there? Killings!”
And 15 Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) members who were arrested by police in Mongu in connection with the tearing of copies of the Lozi draft Constitution last week yesterday appeared in Kaoma Magistrate Court.
Western Province police chief Fanwell Siandenge said in an interview yesterday that the BFM members appeared in the morning befo re Mongu Magistrate Exonorbit Zulu.
Mr Siandenge said those arrested were charged with malicious damage and conduct.
The court set October 4 and 5, 2012, as dates for the commencement of trial.
[Times of Zambia]
ALERT Immigration officers yesterday intercepted former Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) chief executive officer Benjamin Even and his general manager Pelossor Yair at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport when they attempted to exit the country.
The two were scheduled to leave the country on an early morning flight to Johannesburg through the airport when they were blocked.
According to a statement released by Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Maxwell Nkole yesterday, the duo were found with RSZ employment permits which have since been withdrawn and their passports withheld.
Mr Nkole said that the action was conducted in the presence of their lawyer’s because Government wanted them to assist in the smooth transfer of management at the company.
“Further, this action was necessary to facilitate the audit of assets by the Government following the termination of the concession agreement,” he said.
Mr Nkole said it was important that a full audit of all assets was thoroughly undertaken with the assistance of the former management.
He advised that all former RSZ expatriate employees who intended to travel out of the country should formalise their travel with the Immigration Department.
The development follows Government’s decision to cancel the RSZ concession agreement and the subsequent take-over of the railway company on Tuesday.
The concessioning of ZRL assets and operations was awarded to RSZ for a 20 year period from 2003 in respect of the freight business and seven years for the passenger business. It covered the whole inter-mine railway network on the Copperbelt as well as the long haul railway from the Copperbelt to Livingstone.
THE Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has sued Chisamba member of Parliament Moses Muteteka for defaulting on a more than K498 million loan.
According to court records, the CEEC has sued Mr Muteteka and Ms Naomi Muteteka as directors of Omega Transport and Maintenance Limited, for failing to comply with the loan facility repayment schedule.
CEEC acting credit manager Jeremiah Mwamba, who has sued on behalf of the commission, said the outstanding amount due for payment is K498,046,676, inclusive of interest.
The duo had applied for a loan amounting to K320 million at an interest rate of 12 percent per annum, to buy a tractor and accessories which was approved by the CEEC on May 12, 2010.
Mr Mwamba said the agreement was that the loan would be secured by a legal mortgage, to be created from the property of the Mutetekas.
The said property is subdivision 15 of farm 90 (a) in Lusaka.
The CEEC is claiming payment of all monies and interest due to it under the loan facility agreement and legal mortgage of the farm, to be recovered on the outstanding balance.
The commission is also claiming that the legal mortgage be enforced by foreclosure, possession of the property and sale of the said property and any other relief as the court may deem fit.
Mr Mwamba said several reminders and demands have been made to Mr Muteteka but he has failed, ignored or neglected to comply with the loan repayment schedule.
“Having failed, we pray that we should be granted the relief, being repayment of the outstanding loan facility,” Mr Mwamba said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
THE 15 Barotse activists accused of tearing the Draft Constitution yesterday appeared in a Kaoma Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of malicious damage to property and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The 15 appeared before magistrate Exhornobit Zulu when the matter came up for plea yesterday.
And Mr Zulu has denied the suspects bail because they are allegedly a danger to society and can easily organise other suspects on the police wanted list to flee.
Western Province commissioner of police Fanwell Siandenge confirmed the development to the Daily Mail in an interview yesterday.
The identity of the suspects was not immediately known.
The activists were arrested and charged on Monday in Western Province for allegedly tearing the draft Constitution.
The offence was allegedly committed on September 6, 2012 in Mongu.
And the 15 activists applied that they should be granted bail because they are entitled to bail.
But the prosecution objected to the application because the activists are a danger to society and “can easily organise others to rise against the people of Western Province and Zambia as a whole”.
The prosecution said the court should deny the 15 bail because if they are released, they would warn other suspects who are on the police ‘wanted list’.
The matter has been adjourned to September 26 for mention and October 4 for commencement of trial.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) has asked Government to reduce prices of mealie-meal and other essential commodities to keep in check the rising cost of living.
This is according to a statement from JCTR social conditions programme manager Daniel Mutale released in Lusaka yesterday on the monthly food basket.
“The rise in the cost of mealie-meal poses a threat to the majority of the poor who do not have access to good nutrition necessary for decent living,” Mr Mutale said.
He said the high cost of mealie-meal reveals a gap in the maize crop marketing system, which Government should address.
Mr Mutale said the increase in food items renders the recent upward adjustment of the minimum wage for domestic and general workers ineffective in fostering decent living conditions among disadvantaged groups.
He said the cost of living as measured by the JCTR basic needs basket for August, for an average family of five in Lusaka, stood at K3,456,360.
He said there is a rise in the cost of living, compared to the month of July where the basic needs basket was at K3,445,000 because of the increase in the cost of basic food items.
“Such a substantial rise in the cost of basic food items counters the purpose of policies like the recently adjusted minimum wage to foster decent living,” Mr Mutale said.
Mr Mutale expressed concern that the increase in mealie-meal prices has occurred during the crop marketing season when there is enough maize.
He said the increase in the price of food will be a source of stress for the already disadvantaged groups who struggle to make ends meet.
International media reports show that food prices shall continue due to drought in the United States, a hot summer in Russia and excessive rains in Brazil.
These countries are the world’s top producers of food.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Faz Division Two North side Zanama Rovers Secretary Kelvin Chipili says the recent de-registration of club owners Zambia National Marketeers Association will not affect the team in any way.
Chief Registrar of Societies Clement Andeleki last month deregistered Zanama who owns Zanama Rovers FC of Kitwe.
Chipili suggested that it was not the de-registered organisation which was sponsoring the club but individuals within the market association.
“The de-registration of ZANAMA will not affect the team at all. We have been putting our efforts together to help the team,” he said in Kitwe.
“The team has remained firm and we will play all the remaining games without problems plus next year we want to perform better and win promotion to Division One,” Chipili added.
Zanama Rovers was formed 12 years ago and previously the team had a stint in Division One North before suffering demotion.
Two exhibition matches between ex-Chipolopolo stars and their Bafana Bafana counterparts are in the offing in September and October this year.
FIFA player agent Cornelius Elimiagho who announced the plan at a media briefing Lusaka on Thursday said proceeds from the matches will go into a fund to help retired footballers facing challenges.
Elimiaghno said the first leg is scheduled for Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on September 29 while the return match is planned for October 27 in South Africa at a venue to be announced.
“It will be an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices they have made for the country over the years,” he said.
Some of the ex-Chipolopolo stars expected to feature in the planned matches are Kalusha Bwalya,Aggrey Chiyangi,Evans Sakala, Happy Sichikolo,Mordon Malitoli,Kennethy Malitoli,Joel Bwalya,Allan Kamwanga,Vincent Mutale,Mwape Miti and Zeddy Saileti.
Others are Martin Mwamba,Davies Phiri,Elijah Tana,Dennis Lota and Dabid Chilufya.
Reuters reports that Zambia has raised $750 million, on the debut 10-year Eurobond with a yield of 5.625 percent on today, a market source said, adding that more than $11 billion of orders were received for the issue.
The popularity of the issue by Africa’s biggest copper producer reflects strong investor appetite for scarce frontier African paper.
The yield was 25 basis points tighter than Zambia’s initial 5.875 percent guidance.
The size of the Zambian bond also means it will be eligible for the JP Morgan EMBI Global index, increasing its appeal to major investors.
The southern African country, which is rated B+ by Fitch and Standard and Poor’s, plans to use proceeds from the issue to upgrade its infrastructure, particularly in the transport and energy sectors.
Fitch cited the country’s buoyant copper mining sector, political stability and GDP growth of over 6 percent as strengths, but said prospects for growth beyond 2012 were less certain due to dependence on copper, which accounts for about 80 percent of exports
[Reuters]
Rapper Bobby East finally release the video for his hit song “Let it Drop” that features “J.O.B”
Song produced by Blazer Studios , Video directed by RedDot Productions
By Kapa187
Zambia’s debut 10-year $500m Eurobond was assigned a B+ rating by both S&P and Fitch earlier yesterday. The bond is expected to be issued anytime from yesterday after marketing roadshows took place this week in both London and the US, according to Reuters.
In assigning the rating, Fitch cited Zambia’s political stability, combined with a decade of growth above 6% thanks to a stable macroeconomic environment and policy reforms. The country’s vibrant copper mining sector and overall fiscal discipline were also mentioned as key strengths.
On its part S&P highlighted Zambia’s promising investment and economic growth trends, a fairly strong external balance sheet, and moderate general government debt.
Going forward though, risks remain and explain the negative outlook placed on the rating. On its part, Fitch cited the risks posed by a potential failure to curb current expenditure, particularly on wages, which consume 43% of government revenue; while S&P mentioned the increased economic policy uncertainty since the new administration took office.
Most eyes will be on whether the yield on the Eurobond will come in line with Ghana, also rated B+. Reuters citing analysts mentioned the yield could come in the 5.5-7.5% range, so at premium with
Ghana’s 8.5% 2017 dollar-denominated Eurobond, currently at around 4.75%. We would agree with the view that the yield is likely to come at premium to Ghana’s, because of Zambia’s current high vulnerability to slowing China, a key market for its copper exports.
Meanwhile reuters reports that Zambia has issued guidance for its debut 10-year Eurobond, expected to be at least $500 million, indicating a yield of 5.875 percent, IFR said on today.
The deal from Africa’s biggest copper producer is likely to price later on Thursday, IFR reported. Barclays Plc and Deutsche Bank are the lead managers.
Zambia, which is rated B+ by Fitch and Standard and Poor’s, plans to use proceeds from the issue to upgrade its infrastructure, particularly in the transport and energy sectors.
The indicated yield places Zambia in between Ghana, whose 2017 Eurobond is trading at around 5 percent, and Senegal, whose 2021 issue is currently yielding 6.3 percent.
Ghana, a gold, cocoa and oil producer, is rated B by Standard and Poor’s and B+ by Fitch but is more familiar to investors as it issued its Eurobond in 2007. Senegal, another stable west African country, is rated B+.
“This is a reflection of the scarcity of African assets, particularly Zambian assets, as well as healthy global risk appetite,” said Yvette Babb, emerging markets analyst at Standard Bank.
“It looks expensive for investors, but for the Ministry Finance these are fairly attractive levels considering their significant infrastructure development plans.”
[Reuters]
The Road Development Agency (RDA) is within the next 100 days expected to commence the upgrade of the 45.5 kilometers, Kitwe-Chingola Road into a dual carriage way through cost effective and economically justifiable engineering designs at an estimated cost of K600 billion to be funded by government.
Making the disclosure at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning, RDA acting Director and Chief Executive Officer Bernard Chiwala said the project has been necessitated by an increase in traffic volumes travelling between Kitwe and Chingola.
Mr. Chiwala says the upgrade will begin from the Kazembe junction in Kitwe up to Kasupe junction in Chingola and is expected to be done over a period of two and half years.
He has also pointed out that the project punctuates the commencement of the National Road Tolling as the road will be tolled upon completion.
The RDA acting Director says detailed designs for the dual carriage way are already in place following a detailed feasibility study that was conducted by Ranking engineering.
He further says an initial amount of K100 billion has been reallocated in the 2012 Annual Work Plan to facilitate commencement of works before the end of the year adding that the balance will be provided under the 2013 Annual Work Plan.
And Mr. Chiwala has said RDA has engaged the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) as observers on the tendering processes of Road contracts to promote transparency and accountability.
QFM
© Lusaka Times
