Suspended MMD Die Hard Leader, Bowman Lusambo has accused MMD Deputy National Secretary, Chembe Nyangu of failing to defend his president Nevers Mumba and the party constitution.
In a Letter to Mr. Nyanguand copied to the media , Mr. Lusambo says he was shocked to learn that he had been suspended from the party for defending the party president.
Mr. Lusambo also accused Mr. Nyangu of siding with the four MMD party leaders who he said wanted to overthrow MMD President Nevers Mumba.
Mr. Lusambo says the National Secretary should serve, support and always defend the Presidency and the constitution.
But Mr. Nyangu says Mr. Lusambo should not dare him because he will recommend for his exist from the party at the next National Executive Committee meeting.
Mr. Nyangu says Mr. Lusambo is junior member of the party who does not have an right to issue disparaging statements against senior party leaders.
He described Mr. Lusambo as a loss canon whose stay in the MMD may be shot lived if he continues to disrespect party officials.
10-man Zambia squandered 1-0 lead to draw with hosts Botswana in 2014 CHAN qualifier away at Molepolole.
The games ended 1-1 in a game that saw both goals come in the last 12 minutes of the first half.
Botswana started the game the strongly and kept Zambia goalkeeper Daniel Munyau busy throughout the first half.
Jackie Mothatego and Lemponye Tshireletso had fine chances denied by Munyau in the 28th and 40th minutes respectively.
Moses Phiri, who replaced an out of sorts Bornwell Mwape in the 36th minute, was unfortunate to see his 43rd close-range shot saved by Botswana goalkeeper Michael Pepukani.
Zambia were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute after Alex Ngonga was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Botswana smelt blood thanks to their numerical superiority but Zambia held on thanks to some great goalkeeping and poor finishing by their hosts.
Zambia punished their hosts in the 79th minute when Nkana striker Festus Mbewe latched on to a poor back pass to calmly slot in the opening goal.
Botswana levelled five minutes later when Lemponye Tshireletso fired in an unstoppable free kick to ensure there was still all to play for on August 3 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The winner over both legs will face Zimbabwe or Mauritius in the second and final qualifying round.
Ex-Power Dynamos captain Joseph Sitali has told his old club to up its game as the FAZ Super Division resumes on Saturday.
Sitali, who currently plays for DR Congo side Don Bosco, rated Power’s performance so far in the campaign as bad.
Power lie tenth on the table with 19 points in 14 matches.
The midfielder said the Arthur Davies outfit does not deserve to be in the bottom half of the table.
“According to Power Dynamos’ quality the team has performed badly, they have to pull up their socks in the second round,” said Sitali, who led Power to winning the 2011 league title.
“Hopefully they are going to improve and do something good for the fans.
They should keep on fighting, play as a team and love one another,” he added.
Power hosts Zanaco at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe on Saturday hoping to revive their fading chances of winning the Super Division.
A consortium of 18 environmental watch groups has expressed shock over government’s move to disregard the protection order issued against First Quantum Minerals over the construction of Chisola dam at Kalumbila Mines.
Recent media reports have indicated that the government, through the Minister of Land, Environment and Natural Resources Wilbur Simuusa has given Kalumbila Mines Limited conditional permission to continue construction of the dam which will cover 200 hectares of woodland.
In May, 2013, ZEMA issued an Environmental Protection Order to First Quantum Minerals who are the proponents of Kalumbila Minerals in order to stop the illegal action by Kalumbila to construct the Chisola dam.Kalumbila Minerals Limited had commenced construction of the Chisola dam without the necessary approvals from ZEMA as required by law.
Following approval of the mine, Kalumbila applied to ZEMA for approval for additional components to their project which included the Chisola dam.
However, concerns were raised regarding authorization of such a vast amount of land and compensation and resettlement issues of the people in the chiefdom that would be affected by the Kalumbila projects.
[pullquote]it is an act of betrayal of the interests of citizens of a sovereign nation by those entrusted with responsibility to maintain law and order and ensure fairness and justice.[/pullquote]
For this reason, ZEMA suspended the process of construction of the proposed Chisola dam and associated projects so that the raised concerns and illegalities could be addressed.
The NGO’s told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that it is shocking that Mr Simuusa has given permission to Kalumbila Mines to continue working on the project, despite the Protection Order issued by ZEMA.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Action Aid Country Director Pamela Chisanga said is unacceptable that government can act arbitrarily over the issue.
Ms. Chisanga said Mr. Simuusa is disregarding a professional institution that is mandated to ensure the protection of the environment and its people.
She charged that it is an act of betrayal of the interests of citizens of a sovereign nation by those entrusted with responsibility to maintain law and order and ensure fairness and justice.
Ms. Chisanga said the NGOs do not understand why government appears to be compromised or is seemingly being held at ransom by Kalumbila Mines.
“We do not understand why this government appears to be compromised or is seemingly being held at ransom by these mining companies. It appears our leaders have not taken the time to understand the mining industry and are therefore not able to effectively engage and negotiate with these mining companies and therefore appear to be negotiating from a point of weakness and are literally begging these companies to ransack our resources at the expense of our people, environment and our country,” she said.
“We fail to understand how authorization can be given for FQM to go ahead with the dam and in the same breath, ask them to demolish it if it is later proved to be environmentally unsustainable. This is a clear indication of lack of wisdom and is tantamount to criminal negligence by our leaders.”
She noted that the work on this dam has already started and has been ongoing even with the Protection Order in place.
“We have photos taken last week where we saw graders clearing the land for the dam. How can anyone expect this land to be reclaimed after such damage?” she queried.
Ms. Chisanga also expressed disappointment with the conduct of FQM who have proceeded with impunity to construct the dam and who have used threats to both government and the chief and people of Musele.
SENIOR Chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people in Luapula Province has warned that he will not tolerate laziness among his subjects.
Speaking after conducting traditional rituals in Mpembwe area, Chief Mwata Kazembe said Lundas in the past were renowned to be hard working people who helped others and not it being the other way round.
“Here and other areas I will be checking on you from time-to-time, whoever will not be engaging in agricultural activities will not be in good terms with me.
“Lundas, even in the past, did not used to depend on handouts but were the ones giving others,” Chief Mwata Kazembe said.
The traditional ruler also urged his subjects to live in peace and harmony as well as take good care of themselves.
The traditional leader said he was at Mpembwe area to pay homage to ancestral spirits as a way of maintaining tradition, saying a tribe which did not uphold its cultural norms was as good as dead.
As Mwata Kazembe XIX (Mpemba Kaniembo Chanshi) was heading to Mpembwe, there was a convoy of cars and trucks down the highway to Kazembe while on the sides of the road line hundreds of people, all screaming, cheering and waving as the convoy passed.
In the afternoon, a mini Mutomboko called Mutentamo Ceremony at the Miyombo tree shrine where investures of non Lunda for gallantry, installation of a member of family or an important councilor to hereditary office are conducted.
LAMECK Mangani, addresses members of the press at his residence in Moth area in Chipata yesterday after he arrived from Lusaka where he went to hear the supreme court ruling on his election petition of the Chipata Central constituency which was won by the MMD. The court ruled in his favou
The Patriotic Front (PF)’s losing candidate Lameck Mangani has congratulated MMD and Reuben Mtolo Phiri for winning the parliamentary by-election.
Mr Mangani said the Chipata Central seat was highly contested saying the just-ended parliamentary should facilitate the new things for the betterment of Chipata Central.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate the Movement for Multi-party Democracy(MMD) for scooping the seat as well as the winner Mr Reuben Mtolo Phiri.This was highly contested elections,” he said.
Mr Mangani said the people had to be respected for their choice in the just-ended by –election.
But Eastern Province Malozo Sichone said opposition political parties peddled a lot of lies during the campaigns.
Mr Sichone who was part of PF campaign team said PF needed to reorganize itself.
However, Ms Nkunika (independent candidate) and Mr Daka promised to stand in 2016 general elections. Mr Daka however accused the media of giving a low coverage to him during the campaigns.
“You media are to be blame for my loss you gave a lot of attention to Mtolo and Mangani whilst some of us we, were not fully covered during the campaign period,” he said.
Meanwhile Ms Nyirenda congratulated the MMD for scooping the parliamentary polls and wished him good luck during his service to the people.
Chipata District Electoral Officer Ekan Chingangu described the elections as being peaceful despite the low turn-out.
Chipata Central which is divided into four wards has a total of 49,743 eligible voters.
THE Ministry of Health with the support of cooperating partners has successfully performed over 200 000 male circumcisions on men in Zambia this year, Lusaka District Health Management Board representative Mata Mata has said.
Speaking during the Launch Satellite Activities on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) at Kalingalinga Basic School ground in Lusaka yesterday for the August Campaign, Dr Mata said Kalingalinga Clinic had circumcised 216 males.
He said Zambia had set an ambitious target of scaling up the VMMC programmes to reach 80 per cent of HIV-negative uncircumcised men aged between 15 and 49 years by 2015.
Dr Mata said for this target to be met, 1.86 million circumcisions should be performed between 2012 and 2015 as this would avert an estimated 339, 632 HIV-negative (29.9 per cent) for a net savings of US$1.7 billion between 2011 and 2025.
He reiterated the Ministry’s position to effectively reduce the incidence of the rate of HIV in Zambia.
He said government had targeted to circumcise 45, 000 HIV negative males for the August campaign in order to ensure Zambia achieved universal coverage of male circumcision.
“Government through the Ministry of Health and its cooperating partners has been undertaking national VMMC campaign periodically, with the aim of increasing demand for this service throughout the country,” Dr Mata said.
Society for Family Health (SFH) Executive Director Namwinga Chintu said Zambia still had a high HIV/AIDS prevalence though the rate had in recent times significantly dropped adding that campaigns such as the VMMC would help reduce the incidence further.
Dr Chintu said the society was currently working through community structures where people went to sensitise the males in an effort to make them understand the benefits of male circumcision.
She called on circumcised males to advocate for circumcision for others to access the service as they were best suited to speak out on the matter.
A CRITICAL shortage of Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) has hit most health facilities around the country.
As a result of the shortage of the life-saving drugs, most patients were being switched to other types while waiting for the recommended ones to be in stock.
A check at most accessed facilities in Lusaka, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Kalingalinga, Kamwala, Matero, Ngwerere and Chawama clinics found that most of them had either run low on supply or had completely run out.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Reuben Kamoto Mbewe confirmed that some clinics had run low on Truvada and Neviripine while some had completely run out of the drugs.
“Most ARVs are available in health facilities except for Truvada+Naviripine that have run low in some health centres whilst we have stock-outs in three clinics in Lusaka. The three clinics that have run-out of this drug are Matero, Ngwerere and Chawama,” Dr Mbewe said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday.
He said urgent arrangements had been made to distribute drugs to the three clinics from the district pharmacy stores at Kalingalinga.
He said his ministry was expected to receive 91,500 bottles of Truvada in three weeks time and another 400,000 bottles in September this year with the last consignment of 300,000 bottles of the same drugs in October.
He assured patients not to panic as the supply of Truvada was available in sufficient quantities until the ministry received the next consignment in three weeks’ time and further assured those not on Truvada that other ARVs were available.
Dr Mbewe said in the meantime his ministry had initiated the purchase of 600,000 bottles of Truvada as a stop-gap measure and these were expected to also arrive in the country in September this year.
He attributed the delay to the purchase of the said drugs to logistics in the procurement process and that the manufacturers had also other challenges in acquiring one of the raw materials (Tenofovir) which was vital in the manufacturing process.
He said the shortage of Tenofovir materials had also caused a serious shortage of Truvada on the world market.
Times investigations, however, found that at most ART centres, patients on Truvada and Neviripine were being switched to Atriper with most of them wondering what this switch would mean.
They wondered what would happen when the Truvada was back in stock whether they would again revert back to it and feared that changing of ARVs could have adverse effects on their immune systems.
A memorandum found at the clinics from the Ministry of Health indicated that only a minimum number of people should be left on Neviripine because it would now be used for second line treatment.
Health staff said they were now issuing drugs for up to one month and in some cases for up to two weeks to patients as opposed to the usual three months supply as it was not clear when they would receive the next stocks.
File picture:Andrew Banda and Sakwiba Sikota leave Woodlands police station after signing a police bond
LAWYER representing Andrew Banda says defamation charges slapped against his client have been withdrawn and the case closed.
But Police said they recorded a warn and caution statement from Andrew, who is son to former President Rupiah Banda, and his release was on condition that he should not continue engaging in acts of defaming President Michael Sata.
Andrew was arrested and detained at Woodlands police station on Thursday for allegedly defaming the President.
He was alleged to have uttered derogatory remarks against the Head of State at some in Chipata eastern province.
Andrew was due to be officially charged in Chipata where the alleged offence was committed.
His lawyer Milner Katolo from Milner Katolo and Associates said in Lusaka yesterday that police had withdrawn and closed the case against his client for the sake of peace and harmony.
Mr Katolo said what this entailed was that Andrew was a free man who would go about his normal business.
He said police withdrew the warn-and-caution statement recorded against his client on Thursday evening after Andrew was again yesterday summoned at Police headquarters.
However, acting police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said in a seperate interview that Andrew had been released on condition that he did not commit the similar offence failure to which he would be re-arrested as investigations against him were still ongoing.
Mr Hamoonga said the reason of recording a warn and caution was for informing the suspect that the police were aware about what he was doing.
He said that it was normal for the police to warn and caution a suspect and release him but in Andrew’s case, police had informed him through warn and caution that they were investigating him against the offence of defamation of the President.
Mr Hamoonga said that while investigations were still ongoing, the ball was in Andrew’s hand to choose whether to stop the alleged suspected behaviour of defaming the President or face an arrest if findings proved that he had continued with his behaviour.
Andrew said in an interview that he was grateful of the professional manner in which the police high command and those at Woodlands police handled the matter.
Andrew who thanked his father, lawyers, sister and friends for being there for him said democracy was paramount in his life because he did not just believe in it but fought for it in the UNIP era.
He also thanked the media for being proactive and highlighting what transpired starting from the court complex up to the police station.
He, however, said he was saddened with the conduct of the police officers who arrested and treated him like a terrorist at the Lusaka magistrate’s court when he had not resisted their request.
Livingstone and other security wings on Wednesday rounded up about 76 prostitutes from various lodges within the city.
Southern Province Police Chief Charity Katanga confirmed the development in Livingstone yesterday in an interview.
Ms Katanga said after detaining and scrutinizing the suspects, others were released while 62 persons who included 35 males were remanded in police custody and they were charged with idle and disorderly conduct.
She said 14 suspects were Zimbabwean nationals and they had since been handed over to the Immigration Department to determine their stay in the country.
Ms Katanga said the two males and two other prostitutes were found with cannabis and they would be also handed over to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
“The operation was carried out on Wednesday after 20 hours upon receiving complaints from some members of the public that there was an influx of prostitutes in the tourist capital ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly to be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe in Livingstone and Victoria falls Town next month.
So we had to move in and arrested the suspects,” said Ms Katanga.
Ms Katanga said operations in lodges and other entities would intensify as the city prepares to co-host the UNWTO conference.
She warned owners of Lodges and Guest houses to avoid allowing un-scrupulous guests to avoid being visited by law enforcing agencies.
The 2013 Cosafa Cup champions Zambia return to work on Saturday when they face the Zebras Botswana in a 2014 CHAN qualifier away at Molepolole.
Saturday’s CHAN meeting is a replay of the two sides ‘2009 qualifier that Zambia won 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for the Cote d’Ivoire finals where they went on to finish third.
Herve Renard was also in charge back then and defender Bronson Chama is a sole survivor and also back as Zambia begin their quest for a second CHAN appearance after South Africa denied them a spot at the 2011 event in Sudan.
Renard has not made any major changes to his victorious Cosafa Cup winning team but instead brought in one familiar face.
Nkana Evans Kangwa comes in to hopefully add some quality to the blunt duo of Bornwell Mwape and Festus Mbewe who failed to click in Zambia’s three Cosafa Cup games.
Just how sharp Kangwa is right now is a little hard to tell especially that he has not played competitive football since 2012.
Kangwa has spent the last six months in Spain on trails as guest of Segunda Division club Recreativo da Huelva who failed to reach a conclusive deal with Nkana over the player.
Meanwhile, Red Arrows midfielder Bruce Musakanya who was a doubt for the trip passed a late fitness test and have travelled with the team.
And the two sides will meet in the return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on August 3.
Winner over both legs will face winner of the other first round tie between Zimbabwe and Mauritius for a place in January’s finals in South Africa.
The FAZ Super Division restarts on Saturday after a two-week break with second placed Zesco United targeting to go top as they host Nchanga Rangers in Ndola.
Zesco can go top if they avoid losing to Nchanga at Levy Mwanawasa as the match between leaders Nkana and Red Arrows has been postponed.
Nkana and Arrows have each contributed five players to the Zambia squad that takes on Botswana in Saturday’s away CHAN qualifier.
A point separates Zesco and Nkana, who are on 32 points, going into Week 15 matches.
Meanwhile, Fighton Simukonda’s Nchanga lie fourth on the table with 23 points in 14 matches.
Elsewhere, struggling Power Dynamos take on champions Zanaco in a potential thriller at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Power and Zanaco go into this Week 15 tie with contrasting fortunes so far in the season.
The Kitwe outfit are tenth on the table with 19 points while The Bankers lie sixth on 21 points.
Power were runner-up last season when Zanaco won the league title.
MTN/FAZ Super Division
Week 15
27/07/2013
Napsa Stars-Nkwazi
Kalulushi Modern Stars-Green Buffaloes
Konkola Blades-Kabwe Warriors
Forest Rangers-Konkola Mine Police
Zesco United-Nchanga Rangers
Roan United-Lime Hotspurs
Power Dynamos- Zanaco
Postponed: Red Arrows- Nkana
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi says the Patriotic Front’s dismal performance in the four parliamentary by-elections is an indication that people are fed up with their arrogance and insensitivity to listen to advice.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm News this morning, Ms Nawakwi said the results of the by-elections are an indication that the majority of the Zambian people are no longer interested in the alleged lies of the PF.
Ms. Nawakwi said there has been a chorus from the church and civil society organizations over government’s failure to deliver tangible developmental projects but in vein.
She explained that valuable resources are being thrown into the drain while the poor Zambians continue to suffer from poverty and disease.
The FDD leader stressed that it is unfortunate to see more shortages of drugs in hospitals since the PF came to power.
Meanwhile Ms. Nawakwi said opposition Members of Parliament serving as deputy ministers in the PF government should realize that they are in parliament to serve the people and not their families.
Freelance photographer, Jean Mandela was voted the best photographer at the 2013 COSAFA Cup tournament. Below are some of the Pictures he took, except those with clear attributions in the caption.
1. Vice President Guy Scott with FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya
2 Vice President Guy Scott and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili with FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya
3 Vice President Guy Scott and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili with FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya
4 Soccer Fans at the Stadium
5 Soccer Fans at the Stadium
6 Soccer Fans at the Stadium
7 Soccer Fans at the Stadium
8 “Robert Mugabe’s prediction before the Match”
9 “Robert Mugabe’s prediction before the Match”
10 “Robert Mugabe’s prediction before the Match”
11 Soccer fans celebrating second goal
12 Zambia’s second goal from a free kick
13 Zambia’s second goal from a free kick
14 Zambia’s second goal from a free kick
15 Ball boys celebrate Zambia’s second goal with players
16 Ball boys celebrate Zambia’s second goal with players
17 Ball boys celebrate Zambia’s second goal with players
