Proflight Zambia’s 737-200 aircraft touchesdown in Lusaka for the first time
A LIVINGSTONE-BOUND Proflight Zambia plane Boeing 737-200 carrying 75 passengers yesterday aborted its flight after developing a mechanical fault a few minutes after take-off at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
The aircraft, which took off at 12:30, was forced to land shortly.
Proflight Zambia spokesperson Gillian Langmead confirmed the incident in response to a press query, saying the alternative aircraft arranged to ferry the passengers to Livingstone would continue to operate until the plane is cleared by engineers.
Ms Langmead said management has instituted investigations into the cause of the mechanical fault on the plane.
“The aircraft which took the passengers to Livingstone will be used until our current 737 is signed out by engineering to resume operations. The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority,” Ms Langmead said.
She said Proflight Zambia takes pride in its excellent safety record and at no point was there any danger to the passengers or crew.
Ms Langmead said a 737-200 aircraft had been deployed from Johannesburg and was expected to arrive in Lusaka at 18:00 yesterday.
When it landed, the plane was rolled from the runway to the former Zambezi Airways hangar for inspections.
A check at the airport found the aircraft at the hangar, surrounded by engineers.
A Daily Mail crew that rushed to the airport found the alternative plane arranged to ferry the passengers to Livingstone at 14:10 hours.
Some workers at Proflight Zambia airport office said management had managed to arrest the situation.
President Michael Sata and First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during a meeting with representatives from the UNAIDS, Churches Health Association of Zambia [CHAZ] and the National AIDS Council [NAC] at State House on July 12,2013-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA capacity as vice-chairperson of the Organisation of African First Ladies [OAFLA].
Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni, has dismissed assertions that First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba is hijacking the functions of Health Minister, Dr. Joseph Kasonde.
Speaking in a telephone interview with QFm News, Mr. Sakeni says government has not transferred the functions of the Health Minister to the first lady is being suggested in some quarters.
Mr. Sakeni, who is also information and broadcasting Services Minister, says government cannot stop the First lady from championing cervical cancer awareness because she feels she can contribute positively to the fight against the disease.
He adds that there is nothing wrong with the First lady being actively involved in health issues affecting the lives of women as she has shown her full commitment in the fight against cancer.
He adds that Dr Kaseba’s commitment towards the fight against cervical cancer should be commended by all well meaning Zambians because very few people can take up such tasks.
Mr. Sakeni says Dr. Kasonde has never complained that the First Lady has hijacked his duties because he knows that what the first lady is doing is a recommendable job.
Some residents of Katete districts in the eastern province have appealed to government to close all Zambeef outlets country wide as a measure to safe guard consumers health.
The residents who have shunned the purchase of Zambeef meat products in the district said that there was need to close all outlets as the company has abrogated the public health act Cap 295 of the laws of Zambia.
Neliyah Phiri of river side compound told ZANIS in an interview in Katete that Zambeef which has been on the market for a long time has disappointed the people of Zambia.
Government yesterday released the test results on samples of meat products take from ZAMBEEF outlets confirming that the company used a cancer causing chemical, aromatic aldehyde as a preservative.
And the Katete residents have hailed the Ministry of Health for exposing ZAMBEEF adding that the company should face appropriate action as prescribed by the law.
Another resident Joyce Mumba who owns a restaurant at the town centre said the situation has affected her business as customers no longer buy beef.
“The demand for beef in my restaurant has reduced as consumers no longer ask for it because it is difficult to prove that the beef prepared is not from ZAMBEEF so the only way is to close it,’’ she said.
Mrs Mumba who wondered how long the scum has been going on said it was an eye opener for government to scrutinise all imported food stuffs.
In a ministerial statement to parliament this week, Health Minister Joseph Kasongo told parliament that tests conducted on ZAMBEEF meat product confirmed the presence of the harmful substance aromatic aldehyde chemical used for embalming dead bodies and industrial purposes.
PARLIAMENT yesterday adjourned sine die with Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba calling on opposition Members of Parliament to stop being antagonistic with Government but work together for the betterment of the country.
Mr Kabimba contributing to the suspension of Standing orders 20 and 21 (1) and 101 to enable the House to adjourn said it was of no benefit to the nation for opposition MPs to constantly take an aggressive stance against Government at the expense of forging a partnership that would bring sustainable growth.
“We are in a partnership to develop the country and so there is no need for our colleagues in the opposition to continue with such aggression against the Government.
“The Zambian people spoke and they have vested their power in the Patriotic Front. The people of Zambia spoke whether wrongfully or rightly, they spoke. The time will come in 2016,” Mr Kabimba said.
He urged the opposition bench to take advantage of President Michael Sata’s call for an all-inclusive administration and work with the Government to bring about development in the country.
[pullquote]“The Zambian people spoke and they have vested their power in the Patriotic Front. The people of Zambia spoke whether wrongfully or rightly, they spoke. The time will come in 2016,” Mr Kabimba said.[/pullquote]
He said the voting pattern that had seen the PF record victories in recent by-elections was another litmus test of its popularity.
“It will not help us to cry to the high heavens instead of working together. This is the first time that development is criss-crossing the country and this is the first time to have a leader who promotes unity in the country and we will continue to bring development,” he said.
In moving the motion, Vice President Guy Scott appealed to MPs during the recess, to undertake various assessments of developmental projects being undertaken in their Constituencies and maintain constant communication with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under his office.
He said as part of their duty, the Parliamentarians should ensure among others that the distribution of farming inputs reached the vulnerable groups and also to provide checks on the progress of developmental programmes.
He thanked the Speaker, Patrick Matibini for the guidance provided during the second session of the 11th National Assembly and the Parliamentarians for having conducted business in a sober manner.
Dr Scott also refuted allegations that President Sata was parading traditional rulers during campaigns as a way to gain more votes for PF candidates contesting in by-elections.
[pullquote]Dr Scott also refuted allegations that President Sata was parading traditional rulers during campaigns as a way to gain more votes for PF candidates contesting in by-elections.[/pullquote]
He told the House that traditional leaders were part of a partnership any sitting government and were merely there to help with the development process, whether met in private or at a public forum.
And the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson, Vincent Mwale told the House that there was need to act on revelations of misuse of public funds reflected in the Auditor General Anna Chifungula’s annual reports.
Mr Mwale who is MMD Chipangali MP, said this when he moved a motion on the adoption of a report by his Committee to adopt the report of the Auditor General on the Accounts of Parastatal Bodies for the year ended December 31, 2011.
He said the report had reflected serious irregularities ranging from misuse of funds to failure to provide financial statements for audit purposes and that such issues required the attention of investigative wings to probe the irregularities in public institutions.
Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda said the PAC was a helpful institution to the Government and that its recommendations would receive the seriousness it deserved.
“Government is taking serious steps to address the issues that have been raised by Your Committee Mr Speaker and we shall take appropriate action,” Mr Chikwanda said.
Parliament would resume sitting in September this year in readiness of the presentation of the 2014 National Budget.
Herve Renard says Zambia will win the 2013 Cosafa Cup but they are not obliged to play sexy football.
Renard said at a pre-match press briefing at Moba Hotel in Kitwe on Friday that beating defending Cosafa Cup champions Zimbabwe by any means necessary was key.
Zambia reached the final after a 5-3 post-match penalty win over Bafana following a scoreless draw that the host nation failed to produce any impact in the 30 minutes of extra time after a barren 90 minutes in the semifinals on July 17 at the same venue.
Zimbabwe on the other hand came from 1-0 down to beat Lesotho 2-1 in a first half rally to book their Cosafa Cup final spot in the opening 45 minutes and put themselves in line for an unprecedented fifth Cosafa Cup title.
“No goals in normal time I will tell you the same thing I told a journalist from Ivory Coast before the final in 2012,” Renard said.
“We are going to win but we are not obliged to score a goal to win thank you.”
Renard is targeting his first Cosafa Cup victory in two attempts after losing in the 2008 semifinals and 2009 final.
Zimbabwe coach Klaus Pagels says the pressure is on Zambia to equal their Cosafa Cup record.
Zambia face Zimbabwe on July 20 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola looking to equal the Warriors’ four Cosafa Cup triumphs .
This will be the second successive time the two sides clash in a Cosafa Cup final after Zambia lost 3-1 in the 2009 final-the last time the tournament was held before a three year limbo due to operational problems.
“We want a positive result of course, but the match will be difficult for both teams,” Pagels said.
“There is more pressure for the Zambian team, because when there is a big crowd and you don’t score early, the pressure comes in and maybe we can capitalise on that.”
Mamelodi Sundowns first choice goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands says his new team mate Kennedy Mweene will add value to the Pretoria club.
Chipolopolo keeper Mweene recently switched from Free State Stars to Sundowns bringing the number of goalkeepers at the club to five.
Sandilands noted that Mweene will bring stiff competition to the goalkeeping department at Sundowns.
“It’s good for the team I think there a lot of good goal keepers. It’s just a matter of giving your best for the team and putting the team first.
So I think Kennedy will add a lot of quality to the goal keeping department, he will bring competition. And at the end of the day we will compete for the number one jersey but at the end of the day we just have to help the team,” he said.
Sundowns finished tenth in the ended 2012-2013 Premier Soccer League campaign.
“Only time will tell if we will win trophies I think the club has signed a lot of players and you know hopefully we can give back to the supporters.”
Sandilands added: “It’s a challenge for all of us but what we can do is our best and help Sundowns win some trophies this year.”
Ex-Zambia internationals Gift Kampamba and Rotson Kilambe played for Sundowns in the early 2000s.
ZAMBEEF chief executive officer Francis Grogan (right), executive director, Yusuf Koya (centre) and Board director, Lawrence Sikutwa
Zambeef Chief Executive Officer Francis Grogan says the company is gong through a difficult period in light of recent reports concerning its imported meat products.
Commenting on the revelations that the laboratory tests results conducted in South Africa confirmed the presence of harmful chemicals, Mr. Grogan said the company has been going through a clearly difficult period.
“Clearly it has been a difficult period in light of the reports concerning the company’s imported meat products and we are cooperating fully with the government to draw a line under the matter. We are committed to ensuring that all products sold by Zambeef are of the highest quality and safe for our customers,” Mr Grogan said.
Mr. Grogan also announced that the company will continue to suspend the sale of imported beef products until Zambeef and the Ministry of Health have fully resolved the matter.
“The company has made it clear through local media that Zambeef only imports meat products from companies from countries with globally recognized traceability protocols in place namely the UK, Ireland and the USA and that its imported meat products are accompanied by certification from all the required authorities in these countries. The embargo on imported meat products remains in place until further notice.”
He said the company believes that it is still well positioned to build on its position as one of the leading food producers in Southern Africa.
Mr. Grogan said Zambeef will be working with relevant authorities to identify the level and potential source of any contamination.
His comments follows the receipt of test results commissioned by government in South Africa which stated that the products contained the presence of Formaldehyde and that the Ministry is working to establish the source of contamination.
Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba, says he will not support a constitution that is tinted with a foreign image.
Speaking during a meeting with the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) at his office this afternoon, Mr. Kabimba says he is concerned by the statements made by LAZ that government is reluctant to come up with a people’s driven constitution.
Mr. Kabimba, who is also Patriotic Front (PF) General Secretary, says LAZ needs to understand its mandate and boundary when it comes to governing issues, adding that there should be a distinction between LAZ and government.
The Justice Minister says there are some implied innuendos in the statements that LAZ make regarding the constitution making process and has urged them to be realistic in providing checks and balances.
Mr. Kabimba has also revealed that Cabinet has approved the change of name from Judicial Reforms to Legal and Justice Reforms and has since urged LAZ to closely work with government in ensuring that people receive quality justice in the country.
Speaking at the same meeting, LAZ President, James Banda, says his Association remains committed to continue providing quality checks and balances on government.
Mr. Banda says he is not afraid to state that there is a big problem in the judiciary which needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
He has told the Justice Minister that the issue of Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda cannot go without a comment.
Mr. Banda has asked Mr. Kabimba to address the problems that are surrounding the country’s judiciary.
He adds that there is need to constantly dialogue with government on issues that are affecting the judiciary.
Mr. Banda says government should not feel intimidated when LAZ comments on the constitution making process because the association wants to have a clear map on the constitution making process.
Health Minister Dr. Joseph Kasonde has disclosed that the Sondashi Formula 2000 has reached the ‘Safety Stage’ in the clinical trials.
The clinical trials are being conducted at the Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC) in Ndola.
The Sondashi Formula 2000 is an innovation of former works and supply Minister Dr Ludwig Sondashi which is believed to have the capacity to cure HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Kasonde in an interview with QFM says though the process of clinical trials takes long, it is good for the safety of the patients.
He explains that every research study on medicines has levels on which the effectiveness and efficacy has to be established.
The Health Minister says his ministry has since engaged qualified medical personnel to help ensure that the clinical trials on the Sondashi Formula meet the required standards.
Last month, Dr. Sondashi appealed to government to quicken the clinical trials on the drug.
Power Dynamos legend Wedson Nyirenda has expressed worry over his old club’s poor showing in the current FAZ Super Division campaign.
Last season’s league runners up, Power, are currently 10th on the Super Division table with 19 points in 14 matches.
Nyirenda, who is currently coaching Mozambique team HCB Songo, said he was concerned over Power’s continued poor showing in the Super League.
“I have been so concerned with the poor performance of my former club Power Dynamos FC. The club is at my heart because I achieved so much when I played at Power,” he told Radio Icengelo.
Nyirenda added: “I wish I could be of immediate help but it is not easy I am engaged. I can help in another way the club wants me to this time.”
And Nyirenda has revealed that he was currently writing a book on football to be titled “THE CHAMPION IN YOU”.
“The project of my book is going on well. The book is entitled “THE CHAMPION IN YOU”. I can’t tell exactly when this edition will be published but I can promise that it is very soon.
The book starts with football as a life, what football means to me, why football has been and still remains the number one sport, how one can become a champion in football as a player and as a coach and my personal experience in my football career as a player and coach.
The bitter lessons and good lessons I have learnt in Zambian and overseas football,” Nyirenda explained.
Chanda Chimba III, the producer of the infamous television documentary, dubbed “Stand up Zambia”
Zambia Reports’s Peter Adamu reports that freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III has landed a respected position with the reputable international media organisation, Voice of America (VOA), to contribute news articles for its various fora as Zambia’s correspondent.
Chimba, a former Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) broadcaster, will be responsible to provide content to VOA’s radio, television and webpage services effective July 2013.
The well known journalist, who many Zambians will remember for producing a series of investigative documentaries warning about the dangers of electing President Michael Sata prior to the 2011 election, is delighted with the opportunity.
“I have always looked forward to something like this,” he said in an interview with Zambia Reports, adding; “I know that filing for an organisation like VOA is very challenging. But I am ready for all the challenges and that’s what I like.”
Chimba’s maiden package is expected to go on air in the United States of America, Washington DC time 08:00 AM which is 14:00 hours in Zambia and will later be distributed on the channels webpage service.
The 48-year-old experienced journalist is however not the most popular of people to President Michael Sata and his cronies who are currently persecuting him through trumped up charges before a judiciary they have deeply compromised and is headed by an illegal Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda.
Prior to the September 2011 elections, Chimba produced a series of documentaries he entitled Stand Up for Zambia in which he catalogued President Sata’s political career and warned voting for the then opposition leader would render Zambia into a dictatorial state.
In his programmes aired on ZNBC and Muvi Television which are now widely distributed on Youtube, Chimba uncovered how Post Newspaper owner Fred M’membe had assumed the role of PF chief propagandist – the role he continues to occupy todate.
Chimba predicted how Zambia will be governed and most of the things he discussed are obtaining in the country today earning him the title of ‘prophet’ among Zambians some of whom ridiculed his programmes but have openly apologised for not heeding the wise counsel he offered.
Some civil servants working in Chief Mukubwe’s chiefdom in Kapiri Mposhi district have fled the area for fear of witchcraft.
The civil servants who include those from the Ministries of Education, Health and Agriculture started fleeing the area abandoning their offices last week along with their families.
Kapiri Mposhi District Commission, Beatrice Sikazwe confirmed the development to ZANIS today.
Ms Sikazwe said the government workers have accused the local people in Mutenda, Chibobo, Mumba Chala, Iwonde, Chilwa Island and Chibungo areas of practicing witchcraft on them and their families.
She said the workers and their families were being troubled at night by suspected witches as they were discovering strange items such as Kwacha notes drenched in fresh blood and strange herbs on their door ways to their houses every morning they wake up.
Ms Sikazwe also said some female workers are allegedly being mysteriously sexually harassed in their sleep by unknown people during the night.
“Civil servants have run away from Mukubwe…. they have run away because of increased witchcraft that they have been subjected to by the locals … they have complained that they are not sleeping well during the night because of witchcraft,” Ms Sikazwe said.
Meanwhile, Ms Sikazwe has threatened to withdraw all civil servants working in the area if the local people continue with the tendency of harassing them.
Ms Sikazwe said government workers have chosen to work from the area for the benefit of the community and it is not in order that the same community they are serving should harass them.
The District Commisioner said she along with officers from the concerned government departments will on Monday next week go to the area to have meetings with the community to resolve the matter.
She noted that the alleged behavior by the community against government workers would cause underdevelopment in area.
The District Commissioner challenged the local communities in Mukubwe to support and cooperate with government workers because they are there to foster development.
She noted that the workers had sacrificed so much by accepting to work from remote areas of the district hence they should be supported and appreciated and not harassed by the local people.
Ms Sikazwe said government was committed to delivering development to its people and will not tolerate any act that impeded its smooth implementation of its policies.
The opposition Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) cadres yesterday protested at the Chipata central police accusing the police of being biased towards the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party.
The cadres who were led by their Chipata District Chairperson Mathews Phiri charged that the PF cadres have on several occasions been found removing their campaign materials and causing violence of the July 25th by-election.
Mr Phiri told ZANIS in an interview in Chipata that despite reporting the matter to the police, no action has been taken.
He alleged that the PF is causing violence to disturb the election mood so that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) deferrers the election.
He also charged that the ruling party has seen that it will be difficult for them to scoop the Chipata Central hence want the election to be deferred so that they prepare adequately.
Mr Phiri added that the electoral code of conduct has been abrogated on several occasions by the ruling party.
Meanwhile, when contacted for a comment, PF Provincial Chairperson Mike Tembo refuted the allegations and urged the opposition party to concentrate on campaigning and stop engaging them on petty issues.
Mr Tembo noted that the PF is a party that does not entertain violence and always concentrated on issue based campaigns in order to have free and fair elections.
He said the PF party has been in support of peaceful and violence free elections therefore no PF member can have the courage to go against the party’s directive.
He explained that the party has been encouraging its members especially the youths not to involve themselves in any acts of violence.
Mr Tembo alleged that the MMD has discovered that this time around the election period is not in their favour and would use all sorts of excuses to justify their lose.
He charged that it is clear that the PF candidate will emerge victorious come July 25th.
People of Chipata Central are on 25th July 2013 will be going to the polls to elect their Member of Parliament following the nullification of the seat by the Supreme Court.
The PF has filled in Lameck Mangani, MMD has settled for Reuben Mutole Phiri, UNIP has Elina Nyirenda while Kazemba Daka is contesting on the NAREP ticket and Penelope Nkunika is contesting on an independent.
