LUSAKA City Market has been closed with immediate effect following a protest by marketeers and street vendors which resulted into a riot, Council public relations officer Henry Kapata has said.
Mr Kapata said the closure followed two riots, one on Sunday between call boys and bus drivers over a dispute on fares charged on buses that loaded from City market.
The other riot was sparked when marketeers yesterday protested against vendors who they said were not paying levies and yet obstructing their business.
Mr Kapata said the market had been closed temporarily to facilitate time for the council to settle the differences between the aggrieved parties.
The marketeers trading inside the market had been experiencing a number of thefts a situation which also contributed to the rift between them and the vendors.
A check at the usually busy market found it closed and police in full riot gear patrolling the premises.
And five call boys were arrested in connection with the Sunday fracas at the City Market.
According to some bus drivers interviewed, they said calls boys were collecting K10 from each bus after loading a situation they said was tantamount to theft.
In a separate interview, Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga said Lusaka City Council was working hard to decongest the vendors around City Market and see to it that they were accommodated inside the market.
Mr Chisenga appealed to marketeers to exercise patience as the local authority was trying to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“The marketeers should be patient and allow the council to decongest and create space for the vendors inside the market and start paying levies to the council like marketeers,” he said.
National Chairperson of the Commuters Rights Association of Zambia, Aaron Kamuti said it was sad that the call boys had taken over the running of some bus stations in Lusaka.
Mr Kamuti said last week he witnessed an episode where the call boys at Inter-City Bus Terminus were harassing drivers to pay fees which resulted in commuters being scared to jump on the buses.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa
GOVERNMENT says plans by the international community to tackle tax avoidance and evasion are positive and will help Zambia to reap full benefits from its natural resources.
Zambia, like many countries, has been adversely affected by tax avoidance with the country losing about US$8.8 billion in illicit tax flows in the last 10 years.
Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Miles Sampa said other than subsidies, tax avoidance is another monster that needs to be nipped in the bud to curb income leakage.
“The move by the global community is a step in the right direction,” Mr Sampa said in an interview.
Last week, finance ministers from the G20 formally backed plans to tackle international tax avoidance and evasion.
The nations have also backed plans by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to stop companies from moving their profits across borders in order to avoid taxes.
Commenting on the move by the G20 countries, Mr Sampa said the country’s access to financial accounts of companies abroad will enable the country to reconcile revenues that have not been remitted.
“If Zambia will have access to financial accounts of those related companies abroad, then we would be able to fully reconcile what is taken away from us.
“If we can locate and see the exact quantum of what is effectively stolen from our tax basket, then we can easily claim it back and prevent similar occurrences,” he said.
Mr Sampa said there is need for the country to be efficient in the collection and usage of national resources if the resources are to be shared equitably.
He said the revenues from the country’s resources are key in the construction of proper infrastructure that can contribute to economic development.
“National resources should be shared equitably with poor people that have no roads, electricity, schools and hospitals in the rural part of Zambia,” he said.
Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa has explained his decision not to use Chipolopolo striker Collins Mbesuma in Saturday’s CAF Champions League clash against AC Leopards that ended goalless in Johannesburg.
Pirates’ draw with Leopards of Congo appears to be a setback to the South African club’s hopes in the group phase.
De Sa suggested that Mbesuma was not fit to be in the starting line-up going by his output in training prior to the match at Orlando Stadium.
“We go by what we see in training, the training matches and not what name is on the back of the jersey,” he told reporters, who asked about the absence of Mbesuma from the Pirates line-up.
“Mbesuma is not in good shape. If you have seen the training sessions and the friendly games you would understand,” De Sa added.
The coach preferred new signee Lennox Bacela up-front in place of Mbesuma.
The burly striker featured in Zambia’s June back-to-back 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Lesotho and netted one goal.
Nkana striker Evans Kangwa and Zanaco defender Salulani Phiri have been included in the Zambia squad ahead of this weekend’s 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Botwana in Gaborone.
And the team entered camp in Lusaka on Monday just a day after winning the 2013 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup on home turf.
Herve Renard says he wanted to asses Kangwa who has neverr kicked a ball in 2013 because of attending unsuccesful six months trials in Spain.
“He (Kangwa) is in the team with Salulani,” Renard said.
“I don’t know if he will be in the team yet, but I just want to see him after a long travelling in Spain where his transfer failed,” he added.
And the team is expected to leave for Botswana on Thursday.
The 2014 CHAN will be hosted by South Africa from January 10 to February 2.
MMD Solwezi Central MP Lucky Mulusa says he has so far covered 110 km of his 170 km solidarity walk from Chingola to Solwezi.
Mr Mulusa said he is confident that he will finish his walk which commenced last Friday within the planned five days.
“The reception from the people we are meeting as we are walking has been good. We are encouraged by the support we are getting from the people around Chingola and Solwezi including the traveling public, Mr Mulusa said.
“Our walk is on schedule. As at Monday mid-morning we had done 110 km and we are determined to complete the walk as planned. This is important in order to send a message to this government that people are suffering.
He also paid tribute to some people that have volunteered to walk with him on some sections of the long journey.
“As I walk, am sharing my views with the local people on the issue of removal of subsidies and am also highlighting the need to have the Chingola-Solwezi road upgraded.
Two members of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) today, appeared for mention in the Chipata Magistrate court for allegedly defaming Republican President, Michael Sata contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Before Resident Magistrate, Sanford Ngobola were 42 years old Sinoya Mwale of House number C-89, Kapata Township in Chipata and 56 years old Jealous Phiri of house number M- 26, Chisitu – Referendum area in the same district.
Particulars of the offence are that Mr Mwale who is MMD Chipata District Chairperson and Mr Phiri who is Chipata Central constituency’s Kanjala Ward councillor on 18th July, 2013 with intent to bring the name of the President into ridicule allegedly did defame the President.
On the said date, the two allegedly insulted the president and also accused him of having a hand in many accidents being experienced in the country.
The two MMD officials have pleaded not guilty to the charge and the court has set 30th August, 2013 as the date for trial.
The suspects who were arrested yesterday have since been released on police bond.
With two days before the casting of votes in the Chipata Central constituency by-election, political party campaigns have intensified where some pockets of violence have been reported.
People of Chipata Central constituency go to the polls this Thursday to choose a person who will represent them in parliament.
The ruling PF is fielding Lameck Mangani while the MMD is fielding Rueben Mtolo Phiri.
Others that are contesting the seat are Elina Nyirenda of UNIP, Kazembe Daka of National Restoration Party (NAREP) and an Independent, Jean Nkunika.
Zambeef plc has refuted media reports that the Food and Drug Authority in Ghana has banned the company from importing or distributing any products into that country.
Zambeef Head of Public Relations, Justo Kopulande says Zambeef does not export anything to Ghana.
Mr.Kopulande says Zambeef products plc in Ghana operates as an independent company called the Master Meats of Ghana Limited.
He complains that it is not right for the media to continue reporting negatively about Zambeef plc.
Meanwhile Mr.Kopulande says the company has received an overwhelming response from its customers.
He adds that Zambeef is doing its best to win back the confidence of its customers.
Zambeef has been in the media spotlight following the contamination of its imported beef products which have tested positive for formaldehydes.
Forum for democracy and development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi has charged that there is no corruption fight that can succeed without a basis of a transparent constitution.
Speaking to Qfm news in an interview FDD leader Edith Nawakwi says it is unfortunate that there has been less efforts by government to ensure that corruption is clearly stamped out.
Ms. Nawakwi stresses that the ruling party has failed the majority Zambians to deliver on stamping out corruption as they promised during the run to 2011 campaigns.
Ms.Nawakwi notes that a transparent constitution will provide for separation of powers then there will be transparency in all that is being done.
She further adds that the perception by the majority Zambians is that there is selective application of the law.
The FFD leader has since called on government to ensure that they deliver a constitution that will stand a taste of time.
President Michael Sata has warned Chief Jumbe of the Kunda people of Mambwe district in Muchinga province that he risks facing the same fate as Henry Sosala who had his chieftaincy revoked as Chief Mwamba of the Bemba speaking people.
Speaking when he officially opened the house of Chiefs sittings in Lusaka this morning,President Sata told Chief Jumbe in the presence of other Chiefs to stop speaking ill of him if he wants to continue being a Chief.
Mr. Sata told Chief Jumbe to learn from Henry Sosala who had his recognition as Senior Chief Mwamba of the Bemba speaking people revoked.
He says Chief Jumbe should learn to respect him as president as he was duly elected by the people of Zambia.
President Sata further told Chief Jumbe to learn to respect authorities if he wants to continue being a chief.
Meanwhile President Sata has urged traditional leaders in the country to help sort out the land wrangles that are being experienced in the country.
Mr. Sata says he is concerned with the continued loss of lives due to land wrangles which needs to be addressed soon.
The Head of State says government recognizes the role tradition leaders play in bringing harmony in their respective communities thus the need for them to bring to an end the problems surrounding land.
Mr. Sata says his government will continue to work closely with the chiefs in ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the issuance of land.
He has since appealed to all the chiefs in the country to take it upon themselves and see to it that they bring peace in their chiefdoms.
The Barotse prisoners who were convicted to twelve months imprisonment, but serving six months in prison and six months suspended for two years, for destroying copies of the draft constitution of the Republic of Zambia are traumatised by being denied medical attention and visitations from friends and relatives.
This is according to a press statement released to the media by the Barotse Freedom Movement.
Reports received by the Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) state that Prison authorities are denying the Barotse prisoners access to medical treatment, food stuffs and visitations from their relatives, friends and sympathisers.
At Mongu prison where four Barotse activists are jailed, including the BFM National Secretary Mulasikwanda Chazele, it is reported that last week visitors who went to the prison were not allowed in by prison authorities. BFM National Chairman Nyambe Namushi confirmed that he was informed by relatives of the prisoners of the development.
The problem arose after one of the prisoners, Limpo Likwenga, had collapsed in prison due to hypertension. Chazele is reported to have demanded that Likwenga be evacuated to Lewanika General Hospital where he was referred by the prison clinic but the prison authorities refused. Hence disciplinary action was taken against Chazele for arguing with one of the named Prison Chief Inspectors. Chazele was placed in solitary confinement and incommunicado for one full day. Likwenga is a known patient of High Blood Pressure. During the trial of the Barotse Activists at Kaoma Magistrate’s court Likwenga had collapsed in court and had to be taken to Kaoma district hospital.
At Senanga State Prison, where there are three Barotse prisoners, Namushi said that he had received similar reports from relatives who went to visit the prisoners; that they were denied to see them. Even the provisions which they had taken for them were not allowed.
The situation at Kaoma State Prison was slightly different in that there were no reports of denial of visits by relatives. The activists were, however, reported to have contracted chest infections of unknown origin and have been attended to by hospital authorities. Otherwise except that prison conditions are naturally not fit for human habitation, the prison authorities at Kaoma treat the activists humanely.
Namushi said that he had instructed Mongu based BFM and BNFA executive members to report the problems at Mongu and Senanga prisons to the Human Rights Commission office in Mongu. He noted that it is against human rights to deny a prisoner medical treatment and visits from relatives and friends. Prisoners have the right to receive food supplements from relatives because prison diet is inadequate and often not properly cooked. Namushi is concerned with the health of Limpo Likwenga because he is a hypertensive patient who needs regular check up and a special diet.He said therefore denying them food supplied by relatives is unacceptable. He demanded that the Human Rights Commission should visit the Barotse political prisoners to ascertain the truth and conditions under which they are being subjected to. In particular Likwenga must be referred to hospital and allowed to have regular BP checkups as recommended by medical doctors.
File:Fr Bwalya conducting an interview in South Africa
Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) says come 2016 acting chief justice Lombe Chibesakunda will be made to pay back all the monies that she is illegally being paid.
Alliance for better Zambia president Father Frank Bwalya told Qfm news in an interview that when his party forms government in 2016, no excuse will be made from justice Lombe Chibesakunda but to pay back all the tax payers monies back.
Father Bwalya said even if government continued to shield the acting chief justice, all their plans are known and the people are not happy.
He said that the more days she continues holding the position the more credit she will be made to pay in 2016.
The ABZ leader has since maintained that government should make up for the Zambian people on their promises or else they will soon swallow a bitter pill.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba being welcomed by Zambian Embassy’s First Secretary Administration Annie Musonda (L) on arrival at Maputo International Airport.Picture by Thomas Nsama
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba arrived in Maputo, Mozambique yesterday for the 7th Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa Conference. Dr Kaseba will today, July 22nd hand over the OAFLA chairpersonship to Mozambiquean First Lady Maria Da Luz Dai Guebuza during the investure ceremony at Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre.
The three-day Conference, which opened on Sunday July 21, is organised by the Forum of African First Ladies Against Breast and Cervical Cancer. The First Ladies will discuss strategies for creating awareness, mobilising funds, prevention and early detection of breast and cervical cancer.
An initiative of the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation, the Annual Conference also attracts the continent’s development partners and offers a platform for the First Ladies to share ideas and strategies to manage breast and cervical cancer situations in their respective countries.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Kennedy Sakeni
GOVERNMENT says journalists are not above the law and as such can be investigated and arrested like any other citizens if they are suspected to have offended the law.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Kennedy Sakeni said investigative wings would clamp down on any person suspected to have broken the law regardless of whether they were journalists or not.
Mr Sakeni who is Chief Government Spokesperson, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that it was for that reason that the arrest or detention of any journalist should not be viewed as retrogression on scores made towards freedom of the press in Zambia.
He said journalists were not immune to investigations and that there was no one above the law adding that media personnel were supposed to account for their actions just like any other persons such as politicians or police officers.
Two Lusaka based journalists, former Evelyn Hone College lecturer Clayson Hamasaka, 40, and former Zambia Daily Mail reporter Thomas Zyambo, 40, were on July 9, 2013 arrested and detained at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station.
[pullquote]“The question is, are you journalists above the law that you can not be investigated even if the police has reason to suspect you of having committed an offence? If they suspect you, why can’t they investigate or arrest you like anybody else?” he said.[/pullquote]
Zyambo who is expected to appear in court on July 26, 2013 has since been charged in relation to seditious practices contrary to the Law while Hamasaka has been warned and cautioned over the same offence.
Another Kabwe based journalist Wilson Pondamali was on July 16, 2013 arrested and charged with theft and being in possession of unlawful military stores a charge he has since denied.
Mr Sakeni said it was unfair for some sectors of civil society and media bodies to accuse the government of causing retrogression on the scores made in the past regarding freedom of the press simply because some journalists were being investigated and arrested on crimes they were suspected to have committed.
He said the only way to prove that one had or not committed any offence was through arrest.
“The question is, are you journalists above the law that you can not be investigated even if the police has reason to suspect you of having committed an offence? If they suspect you, why can’t they investigate or arrest you like anybody else?” he said.
Mr Sakeni said government was not going against press freedom but that journalists, media bodies and civil society must be honest with themselves and know that journalists were not immune to investigations and that police could not arrest anybody without reason.
He said civil society should be the first to look at all citizens equally and that suspects in whatever offence should account for their conduct or action.
“If journalists are suspects, they should account for their action by going through investigations …if it is a police officer he or she should also go through the same even politicians because that is the law,” he said.
Mr Sakeni said there were exceptions where people could complain of violation of their rights if the due process of the law was not followed.
[pullquote]“If journalists are suspects, they should account for their action by going through investigations …[/pullquote]
Meanwhile, Mr Pondamali on Friday pleaded not guilty to two counts of being in possession of military books and theft.
Wilson Pondamali, 40, who took plea before magistrate Simpungwe, is in the first count alleged to be in unlawful possession of military books contrary to section 181(1)(5) of the Defence Act Chapter 106 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Pondamali on July 17, 2013 did have in his possession one copy of a restricted Zambia Defence Service Intelligence book and one restricted tactics book used for military purposes.
In the second count it is alleged that the accused did steal a book entitled Freedom of the Mind valued at K140 a property of Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC).
The count granted pondamali a K10, 000 bail in his own recognisance
and two working sureties from reputable organisations.
This was after lawyer representing him Collins Chizawu from Kabesha and company applied for bail saying the charges were bailable and that his client was ready to abide by the court’s conditions.
Government has with immediate effect closed down Serenje Technical High School in Central Province after pupils this morning ran amok damaging school property.
Education Deputy Minister David Mabumba announced the closure in Serenje on Sunday after meeting school management and pupils’ representatives.
The pupils rioted because the school has not explained why they have not sat for practical examinations despite paying for the subjects.
Mr. Mabumba says pupils in examination classes will report in August while non -examination classes will resume on September 9, 2013.
ZNBC’s Jacqueline Siulemba, who rushed to the school reports that Police has at least detained 29 pupils.
Some of the pupils told ZNBC that the subjects affected are Wood Work, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
Central Province Minister Philip Kosamu who is Serenje Member of Parliament (MP) said the decision
to close the school announced by Mr Mabumba was aimed at protecting school property.
He said he was saddened with the extent of damage to property where the entire administration block was burnt and appealed to pupils to exercise restraint each time they were aggrieved.
“I can confirm that the Ministry of Education has ordered the premature closure considering the extent of damage to property and to avoid recurrence of the riot,” he said.
He also confirmed that examination classes would be re-opened on August 12, 2013 while the others would return to school on September 9, 2013.
And Central Province Commissioner of Police, Standwell Lungu also confirmed the detention of the pupils in an interview with ZNBC News.Police said that they picked up 29 pupils and a teacher to assist with
investigations and were still looking for two ring leaders linked to the riot which left property worth hundreds of kwacha damaged.
“We are investigating reports that the teacher had harboured some of the rioting students because we believe a number of pupils were found in his house,” Mr Lungu said.
According to police, the incident happened on Saturday around midnight when the pupils protested against the school administration over the move to stop them from holding jubilee celebrations.
The celebrations were moved to September after the pupils had already paid money towards the function.
The pupils were also not happy with the deteriorating poor diet saying they were now feeding on rotten beans.
The pupils went on rampage and set ablaze the administration block destroying property with only the headmaster’s office surviving the inferno.
By late afternoon today , some pupils had started vacating the school while others were reported to have no money to transport them back to their respective homes.
The school’s storeroom and tuck shop were looted by the pupils while the computer laboratory room had its window panes shattered.
This is the second time that pupils at the same school engage themselves in riotous behaviour. Recently, the pupils rioted and destroyed school property before storming a market where they smashed windscreens to more than 10 motor vehicles.
The irate pupils also destroyed windowpanes at Pep and Bata stores but failed to loot goods from the shops because of burglar bars. This was in protest against a teachers’ strike.
