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.
Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili has this afternoon launched the 11.8 billion 2012 Youth development fund.
And Mr. Kambwili has issued a two months ultimatum to individuals and youth organisations that benefited from the 2010 and 2011 youth empowerment funds to pay back the loans.
Mr. Kambwili says failure to do will attract prosecution of the defaulting individuals.
Speaking during the launch of the 2012 Youth development fund in Lusaka, Mr. Kambwili disclosed that out of a combined loan portfolio of 4.1 billion from the 2010 and 2011 allocations of youth development fund, only 110 million has been paid back.
He says the development has put the sustainability of the fund in limbo which he says has come about because the MMD government politicized the allocation of the fund.
Mr. Kambwili has since directed his permanent secretary Agness Musunga to publish and names of people and organizations that benefited from the funds and have not paid back the funds.
And Mr. Kambwili has announced that the K11.8 billion youth development fund will be allocated to deserving youth groups, associations and youth led enterprise as loans and grants.
He says the Patriotic Front government will not politicize the fund like the previous MMD government and will ensure that deserving youths benefit.
Labour Minister, Fackson Shamenda has said that the cost of labour in Zambia is very expensive.
Mr. Shamenda said that the high cost is mostly aggravated by delay in the completion of projects by Zambian contractors.
Speaking in Livingstone when he officially opened the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions Conference, Mr. Shamenda said that dialogue is therefore important in addressing labour issues in the country.
He said that the PF government needs to work with a strong and united labour movement in order to improve people’s livelihoods.
Meanwhile, ZCTU Second Deputy President, Humphrey Lungu said that labour unions in the country have spent more time quarreling with each other and trying to recruit members at than addressing issues affecting workers.
Mr. Lungu has called on union leaders to be credible before they can point fingers at government officials.
Striker Jacob Mulenga, Jonas Sakuwaha and midfielder William Njobvu on Monday morning joined the Chipolopolo squad that has camped in Ndola ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup qualifier against Uganda.
Zambia regrouped in Ndola on Sunday to get ready for the crucial Africa Cup qualifier against the Cranes set for the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
National team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi confirmed the arrival of the trio and said South Africa and DR Congo based players will join camp on Monday evening.
Kamwambi said England based striker Emmanuel Mayuka and defender Emmanuel Mbola will join the team on Tuesday.
The team held its first training in camera earlier on Monday.
Other players in camp include Chintu Kampamba,Thomas Nyirenda, Joshua Titima and Daniel Munyao.
Meanwhile Uganda who are expected to arrive in Ndola on Thursday.
.
The Ministry of Finance has released K42 billion in the continued process of recapitalizing the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia.
Ministry of finance public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta in a statement released to the media today said of the funds released, K25 billion is strictly for the purpose of commencing the rehabilitation of the Kobe Ammonium Nitrate Plant 1, and for re-commissioning it in order to facilitate local production of industrial explosives.
Mr Kandeta said that this was in line with the PF Governments’ commitment towards improvement of local productive capacity and job creation through industrialization.
He said that the remaining K17 billion is targeted at making part payment of retirement packages to former employees of NCZ.
He added that the Ministry of Finance is confident that this action will alleviate the suffering of NCZ retirees and give them the capacity to look after their families, pay school fees for their children and help them begin their own wealth creation projects.
Mr Kandeta said that the Ministry of Finance is delighted that after more than fifteen years of disuse, the NCZ Ammonium Nitrate Plant 1 will once again be cranking into life.
He explained that as a shareholder on behalf of Government, and in consultation with the relevant line Ministry, the ministry of finance will soon develop and sign performance contracts with NCZ to ensure that the expected outcomes from the recapitalization initiative are achieved.
The PF government has managed to create over 20,000 quality jobs since assuming power in September last year, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Bob Sichinga has claimed.
Mr. Sichinga explained that the PF government has focused on creating quality jobs that will give meaningful and decent livelihoods to Zambians.
He stated that the jobs have been created in sectors such as the mines and road construction.
Mr. Sichinga was speaking last evening on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview TV programme.
“We have created plenty of jobs, something like over 20,000 since we came into power, we are currently documenting these jobs and we will soon show to Zambians that we are creating the jobs,” Mr. Sichinga said.
[pullquote]“We have been realigning, we have not failed to deliver in 90 days, we have just been realigning and I don’t think it’s fair to say we cheated the Zambians,” Mr. Sichinga said. [/pullquote]
Mr. Sichinga further claimed that the bulk of the 20,000 jobs have come from Maamba Collieries where a Singaporean investor is putting up a coal fired power station.
He said the PF government has spent its first year in office trying to realign the manifesto to its party policies.
“We have been realigning, we have not failed to deliver in 90 days, we have just been realigning and I don’t think it’s fair to say we cheated the Zambians,” Mr. Sichinga said.
Mr. Sichinga said his Ministry is committed to spearheading the creation of permanent and decent jobs for the millions of unemployed Zambians.
He said the PF government will use the Multi Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ) and the provincial industrial clusters to accelerate the creation of new jobs.
Dezert Roze (birth name Chitalu Musonda) is an upcoming artiste fresh off the Sling Beats label.
The name Dezert Roze stands for strength- by the grace of God,a beautiful soul continues to live, continues to breathe success, continues to shine through adversity.She is the protege of Chali Bravo,who has played a major role in the musical careers of artistes such as K’millian,Ozzy,Roberto,Mampi,CQ to name a few.
After completing her gr12 at Njase high school, Dezert Roze decided to pursue a career in music. However, as she was just out of high school and only 17yrs old, her parents forbade her and instead enrolled her for A-levels. She still persisted and every chance she got,she would get into a studio. However, after completing A-levels, she went off to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where she attained her LLB(Bachelor of Laws Honours). She had always wanted to sign a record deal at Sling Beats but Chali Bravo felt she was not ready at 17yrs. However, 8yrs and an LLB down the line, we can safely say that is now history!
Dezert Roze has an infectious passion for music and the arts, one of her biggest influences being Michael Jackson. She says ‘she learnt how to moonwalk before she could walk’. Dezert Roze started singing when she was 5yrs old, she was popularly known for her roles in school plays and musicals at junior school and later for her electric Michael Jackson-influenced dance performances in high school. She says she feels she could’ve been born in the ”Retro” 40s,60s as both her style and music have been influenced by that golden era. She reflects a young Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe in her style of fashion and passion for life. Musically, she embodies greats such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Michael Jackson, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix, to name but a few.
The future as Dezert Roze puts it is a journey filled with the evolution of her countless blessings. She intends to walk in the footsteps of the legendary Michael Jackson and “Heal the World” with her music. She is a humanitarian at heart and that is why she chose to study law:to be a voice for those that do not have one in society. She feels music is even more powerful than law and prays she will be able to devote herself to the promotion of human welfare through her music.
The nation awakes to sounds of mourning More frequently than it does to mirth There is music in the air-waves burning But not to celebration of life or to birth Bana-Musonda just learned that her job Will no longer be hers, but foreigners` Children now run for help to the mob And begging is part of the national anthem; Small victories are displayed as mementos A few malls are idolized as development And education is a bygone word for ruiners Inventions are rare and unknown for “them” Talent is lamped to worst in churches or ghettoes The nation feels like a chilling firmament As workers and students alike resort to strikes Since conditions are bad and the meal hikes Who shall bring light to a nation in dark Will the future be as it has been in the past Are these leaders all look but on the back, Oh Zambia, O land, stop sliding so fast! With all that we carry within, we still believe For Zambia, there is still more hope to re-live!
Vice president Guy Scott, Patrotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba and Finanace Minister Alexander Chikwanda
President Michael Sata has with immediate effect nominated and appointed Lusaka lawyer and PF Secretary General Mr. Wynter Munacaambwa Kabimba as Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice respectively.
This is contained in a statement made available to the media by George Chellah, the Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations.
“This is to confirm that with immediate effect, I have nominated and appointed you as Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice. I wish you success and God’s blessings as you serve in this assignment,” read President Sata’s letter to Mr. Kabimba in part, which has also been copied to the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini and His Honour the Vice-President Dr Guy Scott.
President Sata stated that he is confident that with his vast legal knowledge and proficiency Mr. Kabimba will perform to his expectations and that of the Zambian people in general.
Mr. Kabimba is an Advocate of the High Court and Supreme Court of Zambia, as well as a member of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ).
He has solid experience from local government and has provided legal advice not only to local communities and private clients but also to national authorities such as the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and International Agencies like the World Bank, Irish Aid and WWF among others.
Mr. Kabimba who once served as Town Clerk and Chief Executive Officer for Lusaka and Kitwe City Councils is also chairman of the Senior Chief Shakumbila Cultural Association and legal counsel on land and wildlife matters.
File: Dr Katele Kalumba and Faustin Kabwe bundled in a police car after their sentencing to jail by a Lusaka magistrate Court
The Lusaka High Court has set October 12 for ruling in the matter in which defunct Access Financial Services (AFSL) directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu want the appeal to be re-opened and heard again.
Kabwe and Chungu appealed to the Lusaka High Court to have their case heard a second time because two State witnesses were allegedly paid over K900 million to testify against them in a subordinate court.
Former Minister of Finance Katele Kalumba, former Ministry of Finance permanent secretary Stella Chibanda, Chungu and Kabwe appealed against a five-year jail sentence imposed on them for corruption charges by the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court about two years ago.
Robert Simeza and John Sangwa, the lawyers for Chungu and Kabwe alleged that former AFSL employees Enoch Mwale and Isaac Chitundu were paid to testify against their clients.
The lawyers said Mr Mwale was paid two installments of over K300 million and another K2 million while Mr Chitundu was paid over K650 million and another K11 million.
And the matter in which two MMD cadres are alleged to have murdered a Lusaka bus driver during campaigns for last year’s general elections, has been adjourned to September 19 for continued trial.
PROFESSOR Clive Chirwa, has advised the Zambian government to use the good international name it presently has to borrow money and immediately create jobs in the construction sector.
“One of the sure fire ways the PF government will create jobs immediately-and I am sure they have this plan on their drawing board already-is through the construction industry,” Prof. Chirwa said, “building a railway line from south to north or the other way round would be a great start and it can be done now.”
Prof. Chirwa was speaking when he visited the Daily Mail offices in Lusaka yesterday where he discussed a wide range of social political and economic issues affecting Zambia currently before he returns to Britain tomorrow.
“Between 600,000 to 1 million jobs can be created to satisfy this great infrastructure need…the PF government has so much good-will right now and they can use this to borrow money for construction rather than the past when money was borrowed for consumption.”
[pullquote]you can’t have a situation where a money spinning industry like copper mining contributes only four percent to the annual revenue collection basket while income tax contributes 54 percent, this was a sad reality in 2011…this ought to be corrected.”[/pullquote]
Prof. Chirwa said, “this is the moment,they must cease it and some of us stand ready to humbly assist in any small way we can as the government tries to fulfill their election promises. I must emphasise that this must not be left to the end of the second year in office because the electorate are anxious for something to happen now…”
Prof. Chirwa also restated his call for value addition in the mineral sector which he said is not contributing enough to the Zambian economy and poverty alleviation, including job creation at a time the country needs this the most.
“I must say again like I did at a recent discussion that the 2011 in-land figures do not look well regarding revenue collection,” Prof. Chirwa said, “you can’t have a situation where a money spinning industry like copper mining contributes only four percent to the annual revenue collection basket while income tax contributes 54 percent, this is a sad reality in 2011…this ought to be corrected.”[pullquote]Constructing a railway line will create jobs now[/pullquote]
Prof. Chirwa said efforts already made by President Sata last September to earn more money or establish what the mines make by having mineral exports verified through the Central Bank of Zambia are commendable but action must be matched by words.
“The President has already made his pronouncements so it’s up to his lieutenants to follow them up with action,” Prof. Chirwa said, “but what I can say is that we must emulate the largest copper producer in the world-the United States-which ensures that more than 50 percent of the commodity is processed locally in the US in order to create jobs and Zambia can do this by adding value locally.”
Prof. Chirwa said albeit some critics may put the Sata led PF government on the spot now through criticism, “a little patience ought to be exercised regarding the election promises made because this government for instance had no idea what coffers they were inheriting but now that they are in charge, I think they need a Rain maker and to me its construction, construction, construction…of a railway line.”
Prof. Chirwa also called for unity of purpose amongst Zambian political players saying “insults” and “confrontation” only distract governments from staying focused on development.
“Look at the west,” Prof. Chirwa said, “Obama and Hilary Clinton threw sinks and even kitchens at each other during the campaign but the moment the rhetoric was over, they got together to unite and build a nation…that is what we need here if we want to develop, there’s no need to fight. We are one nation and one people with one development purpose.”
DEC Acting Public Relations Officer, Samuel Silomba
A PAKISTANI national and a Zambian female businesswoman have been arrested for being in possession of K3.6 billion wrapped and concealed on the woman’s body.
The Pakistani, Ashfaq Muhammed was also found in possession of K84.9 million, cash, hidden in his car.
The two were believed to have been flying out of the country to Dubai, according to Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) spokesperson Samuel Silomba.
The notes in US currency, equivalent to $705,480, was found wrapped and concealed on Edah Mkandawire’s body who was apprehended at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport together with Muhammed.
Mr Silomba said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that, Muhammed and Mkandawire were arrested by DEC officers and charged with being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Muhammed, 30, a business executive of Plot No. 198, Ibex, Lechwe Park in Lusaka, and Mkandawire, 46, a businesswoman of Kabanana, Lusaka, were arrested for contravening section 71 (i) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act number 19 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.
“The $700,000 cash was wrapped and concealed on Mkandawire’s body who was apprehended at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport enroute to Dubai. The source of this money is believed to be Muhammed,” Mr Silomba said.
The two suspects were expected to appear in court yesterday.
A CLOUD of uncertainty continues to hang over Chambishi Town on the Copperbelt after irate residents went on rampage for the second time in two days, this time setting ablaze a market in Zambia Compound as part of the continued protest against alleged acts of Satanism by some local businesspersons.
The rampaging residents, who on Friday left a trail of destruction when they rioted in the mining township where they set on fire a number of shops and burnt to death four people whom they suspected of involvement in ritual killings, on Saturday night mobilised again and destroyed more property.
Police on the Copperbelt on Saturday arrested 110 residents of Chambishi, mostly women and children, after Friday’s destruction and killing of the four.
By Press time yesterday, the 110 had not been released as they were being screened by police.
A Times of Zambia check yesterday around 10:00 hours found the situation in Chambishi, particularly Zambia Compound, still volatile with the business community living in fear of attacks and destruction of their property.
A heavy presence of police was spotted at Chambishi Police Station where a reinforcement squad from the Kamfinsa mobile unit was stationed in readiness for any eventuality.
Kalulushi District Commissioner, Joyce Nsamba, who was found in Chambishi together with Kitwe police chief, Chibesa Musa, monitoring the situation on the ground, said the market was burnt down in the hours between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
“The situation here is still volatile. The residents have burnt down a market in Zambia Compound,” she said.
George Nyirenda, one of the people who owns shops at the market in Chambishi Mining Township where the residents on Saturday night damaged two more shops in addition to the one they burnt on Friday, said uncertainty still surrounded the town as violence was imminent.
“Right now it’s calm but this can change any time just like last (Saturday) night when we were knocking off. The shop next to us was intact but when we came this morning, it had been destroyed,” he said.
Mr Nyirenda said the violence that rocked the town had adversely affected business as people, despite being a monthend, were afraid of shopping at the market.
And in Zambia Compound where severe destruction to property was recorded after several shops and stands at the market were gutted, scores of people were found mobilising, with some of them vowing not to relent until justice prevailed.
A mob found gathered at one of the drinking places at the market said they were forced to take the law in their own hands because of alleged failure by the police to arrest and prosecute those allegedly involved in acts of Satanism.
They also demanded the release of their colleagues arrested on Friday and Saturday in connection with the riots and the killing of four businesspeople who include Reuben Nkandu, his nephew Dauti Katongo and shop attendant Graham Kabangazhi, with the fourth one only identified as Robert.
Copperbelt Commissioner of Police, Mary Tembo on Saturday said 110 people were arrested in connection with the riots and the killing of the four people.
[Times of Zambia]
MINISTER of Sports and Youth Chishimba Kambwili has said that he will investigate the Zambian athletes’ attire scandal at the London Paralympic Games and has warned of disciplinary action against National Paralympic Committee of Zambia (NPCZ) officials.
The two athletes Katongo Lasamu and Rhodah Mutale were clad in some cheap attire with a Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) logo during the flag-raising ceremony last Wednesday.
The Paralympics Organising Committee rejected Zambia’s attire because of the FAZ emblem and were ordered to buy new kit.
Kambwili said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that it is embarrassing for athletes representing the country to be clad in such attire at a high profile world event.
“We shall investigate the matter when they come back. We don’t expect this from athletes representing the country. Disciplinary action will be taken if anybody is found wanting because this is very embarrassing. It is a huge event and going like that is unacceptable,” he said.
The minister said his ministry and Government at large does not want to be part of such an embarrassment and was not even aware the athletes had a problem with kit.
He said the NPCZ officials should have engaged government or the corporate world if they had problems acquiring kit.
“I was not even aware they had a problem with kit. This is very embarrassing and unacceptable. We shall not tolerate such,” he said.
Kambwili said he runs an open-door policy and his office is open to all associations.
“They should have engaged me personally if they had a problem with kit. Embarrassing the nation like that is unacceptable,” he said.
Napsa Stars striker Harry Milanzi says he is shocked by Saturday’s 3-1 defeat Nkana inflicted on his side.
Nkana avenged the 2-1 loss they suffered in the reverse fixture by thrashing Napsa in the Faz Super Division Week 22 match at Kitwe’s Arthur Davies Stadium.
The ex-Chipolopolo forward bemoaned the 3-1 score-line saying it was too much.
“I am surprised because the margin 3-1 is just too much. We were thinking that we can share the points today. But the game was tough ,” Milanzi said.
“We looked much stronger than Nkana Red Devils but we were defending too much deep in our own area. That caused Nkana to start attacking. We conceded silly goals,” he added.
Milanzi admitted a slump in Napsa’s performance of late.
“I can tell you as a team we have not performed according to our expectations. But we are looking forward to the next game, hopefully we will collect three points in the game ahead.”
Promoted Napsa started the Super Division campaign on good note but have slowed down.
Mohammed Essa is the 2012 African Motor Rally Champion.
The 23 year old Essa finished six minute s ahead of the chasing pack to pick up his debut Africa Rally Championship with victory in the Tanzania Kobil rally of Tanzania rally.
Essa finished with a time 2:01:35 hours.
Dharam Pandya of Tanzania was second after clocking 2:0757 hours.
