Lesotho qualified to their first Cosafa Cup quarterfinal in 13 years after beating Swaziland 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Kitwe.
Both of Lesotho’s goals came in the first half to seal a vital win they needed to ensure their last eight place from a tight Group B that went to the wire heading into Thursdays final pool games.
Philip Letsie put Lesotho ahead in the 21st minute after beating Swaziland’s defence to make it 1-0.
Tsepo Seturumane stretched Lesotho’s lead three minutes before the break with a fine low shot that squeezed between the post and Swaziland goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu.
Lesotho finished on 5 points, one point ahead of Kenya who tumbled to a 2-1 loss to Botswana and also exited the competition on four points.
The Sotho’s will meet Angola on Sunday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
FILE: Evelyn Hone College Students running away from Zambia Police riot squad
Education Minister John Phiri has announced the immediate closure of Evelyn Hone College following student protests at the institution.
Dr. Phiri told a media briefing that the institution shall be closed for two weeks to allow for repairs to the damaged infrastructure at the college.
He has since given students up to Friday 10am to leave the institution.
“I would have given them up to 18hrs today but I thought tomorrow mid morning would be ideal,” he said.
“I have also asked the Minister of Home Affairs to beef up security around the College tonight to ensure peace.”
Dr. Phiri also revealed that an estimated K540, 000 worth of property was damaged in the student riots.
He also revealed that out of the 70 students picked up so far in connection with the rights, 45 were female and 25 are male.
Dr. Phiri said the students have been nabbed to help police with investigations and vowed that the due process of the law will be allowed to take its course.
He emphasized that those found guilty after prosecution will be dealt with following the College’s internal disciplinary code.
The Education Minister has charged that government suspects that students are being incited to riot by elements outside the institution.
Dr. Phiri warned that government will deal decisively with all external influences that will be found guilty of inciting students to riot.
“All these external influences that are inciting students that they should now celebrating the wanton destructions they have caused to Evelyn Hone. Let them also prepare to take the students on board because some of them will lose their places,” Dr Phiri added.
He advised students to cherish their lives as students saying it is a once in a life time opportunity to better their lives.
“As much as education is a universal right, in Zambia education is a privilege and the students should cherish this privilege.”
The students today demonstrated against government’s failure to place them on bursaries and improve the poor sanitation standards at the institution.
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday said Cabinet has finally approved the name of Lusaka stadium, which will be called
‘Gabon Disaster Heroes National Stadium’
Twenty Cabinet ministers are said to have sat down and approved the name.
“Cabinet has finally approved the name of Lusaka stadium, which will be called Gabon Disaster Heroes National Stadium. This is in honour of our national football team that perished in 1993 while on national duty,” Kambwili said.
A lot of Zambia have expressed shock and disappointment at the name.The two soccer Associations namely, the Zambia Soccer Fans Association and the Zambia Sports Fans Association are not happy that government has included Gabon and Disaster to the new name, which they say do not represent the national heroes that Zambia has had.Zambia Sports Fans Association chairman Peter Makembo said the name is also too long for a stadium.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya said the 50,000 capacity stadium under construction in Lusaka should be called ‘Heroes Stadium’ and not Gabon Disaster Heroes National Stadium.Kalusha yesterday tweeted that ‘Heroes Stadium’ is more appropriate as it will include the heroic performances by national teams of 1974, 1993, 1994 and that for 2012 which won the Africa Cup.
Soccer fans talked to said they could not believe national leaders could come up with such a name.
Government Chief Spokesperson and Minster of Broadcasting and Information Services, Kennedy Sakeni has issued a statement to the media today in response to demands by the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) for the Government to explain the law used to revoke Former President Rupiah Banda’s diplomatic passport.
Mr Sakeni said that TIZ should understand that by law, the passport, whether diplomatic or ordinary, remains the property of the State which can be withdrawn or cancelled, if circumstances so warranted.
Below is the Full statement.
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON OVER TIZ’S CHALLENGE FOR GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE FOR CANCELLING FORMER PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA’S PASSPORT
Government has, and will do nothing that subtracts from former President Rupiah Banda’s enjoyment of his rights and privileges as provided in the law.
This is a responsible Government which is strictly following the rule of law in dealing with the former President’s suspected wrongdoing while he was in office.
As we have stated before, Mr Banda, like any other citizen, in his situation, is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty.
Further and beyond this, as former Head of State, Mr Banda is still enjoying all the benefits and privileges that go with the status of that office.
It ought to be appreciated, however, that Mr Banda is currently undergoing investigations and prosecution for suspected wrongdoing following the removal of his immunity by Parliament.
This process entitles the State and law enforcement agencies, duly and legally so, to take certain actions and decisions such as the recent cancellation of the former President’s passport, if and when such a move is deemed necessary in the ongoing investigations and prosecution of the former Head of State.
Moreover, it should be appreciated that by law, the passport, whether diplomatic or ordinary, remains the property of the State which can be withdrawn or cancelled, if circumstances so warrant.
It is therefore unfortunate for Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) to suggest that Government’s cancellation of former President Rupiah Banda’s passport is a violation of his entitlement to the facility, as reported in the media.
It is Government’s conviction that by its role and status, TIZ is well placed to understand and appreciate Government’s sincerity, objectivity and professionalism with which it is handling the crusade against corruption – former President Rupiah Banda’s case included.
There is no hidden agenda against former President Rupiah Banda, let alone any of our citizens, for that matter, in the ongoing fight against corruption.
But, as Government, we have an inescapable duty to do what is right: to bring before the law those of our citizens suspected of wrongdoing to account for their actions.
TIZ’s concerns, therefore, do not arise.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
MMD president Nevers Mumba says he will not be intimidated over his calls for acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda to resign.
Dr Mumba says threats of contempt of court by acting Registrar and Director of court Operations will not scare anyone.
He says there is need for the PF government to accept that the acting Chief Justice is holding office is illegally than resorting to intimidating people speaking out on the illegality.
Dr Mumba adds that it is President Michael Sata who made former Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to be forced out of office.
He says it is unfortunate that government wants to proceed governing the country on the basis of illegality.
The MMD president has further urged government to give the judiciary a breather and allegedly stop issuing directives on how certain cases should be handled.
Dr Mumba has vowed to continue speaking the truth and providing checks and balances to the ruling PF regardless of what they say about the MMD.
Meanwhile Dr. Mumba says the MMD will write to the African Union on alleged injustices being committed by the ruling PF against the opposition.
He says the former ruling party could not go ahead today with a planned demonstration to demand the resignation of the acting Chief Justice following the refusal by Police to grant them a permit.
He says this is a form of injustice that the opposition political parties have continued to be subjected to by the government.
Dr Mumba wishes to condemn in the strongest words possible this affront and assault of the democratic process through the infringement of freedom of the press and intimidation of Journalist.
The search and subsequent arrest of Journalist Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zyambo by the drug enforcement agency is an abuse of the law enforcement agencies by the Government of the Patriotic Front.
This attempt at suppression of information and of conscience does not change the deteriorating situation in Zambia, nor does it prevent the accelerated loses of confidence in the Patriotic Front government by the People of Zambia. This abuse of power by the Patriotic Front government does not deliver the Freedom of Information Bill, which was promised to be enacted within 90 days.
Instead, we see a government that does not respect freedom of expression going to draconian measures to stump out all alternative voices so that they can create a one party state. Detaining journalist by the Patriotic Front Police and Drug Enforcement Agencies, without due process of the law, and in the absence of a state of emergency is not only illegal but a betrayal to the democratic gains consolidated by the MMD in its last 10 years in office.
This is indeed behaviour synonymous with a one party non- participatory dictatorship in which information is controlled by a dictator and his minions. This is unacceptable.
Dr Mumba therefore demands the immediate release of the Journalist Hamasaka and Zyambo. Dr Mumba further demands that the PF government apologies to the journalist fraternity and immediately enact the Freedom of Information Bill, which should NOW include the protection of journalist rights.
Issued by Muhabi Lungu
Communications Director in Dr Mamba’s Office.
The Civil Society Constitution Coalition has expressed concern on current developments around the constitution making process. In a statement released to the media this morning, the coalition notes that it is immensely disturbed by the apparent lack of seriousness on the part of the Minister of Justice, Hon. Winter Kabimba in explaining to the nation the expected date of delivery of the constitution by the technical committee.
‘It is not long ago when himself stated publicly that the Technical Committee must produce the draft constitution by or on the 30th of June 2013, and as CSOs we expected him to dialogue with the Technical Committee over the matter in order to reach an agreement on when the constitution would be finalized’ said Fr. Leonard Chiti, the spokesperson for the coalition.
‘What is even more surprising is that on the 9th of July 2013, he made a statement in which he made no mention of the exact date when the draft constitution would be simultaneously presented to the general public and the president.’
Fr. Chiti noted that as a coalition, they have keenly followed the entire constitution making process and now demand that the government gives a clear position on the matter without any delays so that the people can know when the second draft will be ready. The coalition has further stated the need for decisive leadership in the constitution making process, appears wanting in light of the current uncertainty in the finalization of the second draft.
The coalition states that with June 30th 2013 deadline having passed, and in view of the request from the Technical Committee to extend the drafting process to the end of July, it is only prudent that the Minister of Justice must agree to this deadline with the technical committee, and must ensure that the relevant support required by the technical committee, particularly availability of draftspersons is fully availed to the committee to complete this work within this new deadline which should not be beyond 31st July 2013.
The coalition further notes that the current Patriotic Front government is now seemingly the most unresponsive government in the history of this country as it has failed to heed the calls of citizens of this country on various issues, particularly on the constitution making process, which was one of the key promises made by the party and the basis on which many citizens voted for them.
The civil society constitution coalition is composed of:
ActionAid International Zambia;
Anti-Voter Apathy (AVAP);
Citizen’s Forum;
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR);
Hope for Human Rights;
Infotainment Movement;
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR);
Save the Children;
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD);
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ);
Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC);
Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA);
Zambia Community Based Natural Resources Management Forum (ZCBNMF)
Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA)
Zambian Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW/FFTUZ)
Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA)
The raid, search, arrest and consequent detention of the two journalists by the joint investigative wing of government without a clear charge is a serious affront to the rule of law and a symptom of the growing democratic deficits in Zambia.
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) demands for the immediate release of the two scribes, Thomas Zyambo and Clayson Hamasaka unconditionally. Whatever wrongs they may have committed, detaining them without a charge is inhuman and a violation of their human rights and the country’s statutes.
We wish to urge the joint investigation team to carry out their work professionally and within the provisions of the laws of the land.
Further, FODEP continues to be alarmed at the hypersensitiveness of the PF administration towards its citizens to an extent that constitutional freedom such as assembly, expression etc are being gagged by the very institutions that are supposed to sustain and promote them.
[pullquote]In this vein, it should be also acknowledged that the rumourmongering in the media is largely as a result of government’s failure to enact the access to information (ATI) laws despite repeated assurances that the bill will be tabled before parliament.[/pullquote]
If indeed reports of these two journalists being detained are on “special instructions” from the higher authorities, FODEP would like to express its greatest disappointment and remind the PF government that it was elected on its promise to respect and protect the human dignity of all Zambians and uphold their human rights.
The earlier the government realises that it is there to safeguard citizens’ rights regardless of their political affiliations the better for the furtherance of Zambia’s democratic consolidation agenda.
In this vein, it should be also acknowledged that the rumourmongering in the media is largely as a result of government’s failure to enact the access to information (ATI) laws despite repeated assurances that the bill will be tabled before parliament.
Journalists have no option but to use speculations in the absence correct information. There can be no democracy and a free society without information
Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) has refuted media claims that the mining firm has placed six hundred workers on forced leave without clearly indicating when they will return for work.
KCM Director for Strategy and Business Development, Brandapan Gnanasivam, has told QFM News that the mining firm has no intentions of laying off workers.
He adds that the mining company has also no plans of employing more workers at the moment because of the falling copper prices.
Mr. Gnanasivam explains that the mining giant cannot frustrate government’s efforts in promoting employment by condemning people to poverty by way of offloading them onto the streets.
He adds that Konkola Copper Mines remains committed to be among the major employers in the country in order to help government in alleviating poverty in the country.
Mr. Gnanasivam has also assured that that once the copper prices on the international market stabilize; KCM may consider employing more workers.
Newstead Zimba in red , President Sata and Shamenda at May day
FORMER Minister Newstead Zimba has sued his wife Naomi and applied for an interim injunction to restrain her from accessing all the three bank accounts at Finance Bank and from interfering with their two properties.
Mr Zimba in his statement of claim filed in the High Court registry indicated that his wife Naomi Mbewe of 20 years and had been on separation pending divorce, also asked the Court to stop his wife from running the family company in which he was a shareholder.
He said his wife had on several occasions reported him to the police which had led to his detention on accusations of assault.
The plaintiff who is former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister stated that he had been a co-director at Zambia Cosmetology Consultancy Ltd and that his wife who had deserted his matrimonial home and was arrogant as she had become a nuisance to his life through the abuse of his rights.
He indicated that the defendant upon leaving the matrimonial home got the house keys and a motor vehicle registration number ABV 1351 which the plaintiff acquired under the diplomatic cover.
“I have of late not been in my right mind and cannot even perform the duties of director in the family company now being run by Naomi as she is not allowing me to run it. She has been arrogant and became a nuisance by abusing my rights on pretext of trying to fix me by continuously reporting me to the police on accusations of assault which has really disturbed my well being,” he said.
Mr Zimba is now asking an order from the court to compel Naomi to account for all the monies in the company account, her personal bank account and the dollar account that were at Finance Bank.
Another order and a declaration that he was a co-director in the company with shares and an injunction to restrain her from interfering with the properties at house number 10937 Kaseba Road Longacres, another on 41, Nalikwanda Road Woodlands and from running the family company situated in Rhodespark.
Mr Zimba also asked the court to order for preservation or attachment of properties mentioned above.
Parliament last night rejected a motion requesting government to reinstate the fuel and maize subsidies.
The motion moved by MMD Solwezi Central MP Lucky Mulusa was urging government to reinstate the fuel and maize subsidies in view of the hardships that Zambians were facing as a result of the removal of subsidies.
Mr. Mulusa’s motion was seconded by Kabompo West MP Ambrose Lufuma who argued that the subsidies were a necessary fixture especially in fractured economies such as Zambia’s.
When it came to voting, 52 MP’s voted in favor while 70 were against the motion.
In moving the motion, Mr. Mulusa said there are 31 possible sources of savings that government could have considered without removing the subsidies.
He said government needs to consider increasing tax contributions to GDP adding that Zambia has the capacity to collect K40 billion or twice the projected tax collections in the 2013 by utilizing efficient tax collection systems.
Mr. Mulusa said, “ If you consider the fact that Norway captures taxes worth 60 per cent to its GDP, then the argument is that Zambia at 19.4 per cent tax collection to GDP, still has potential right up to the world’s best benchmark of 60 per cent. “
“This means that Zambia can potentially raise an additional K50 billion. This is no exaggeration especially that when we properly account for our GDP, THE GDP figure will self-correct and increase proportionately. “
Mr. Mulusa who catalogued 31 sources of losses of income and wasteful expenditure said Zambia has enough resources to maintain subsidies on fuel and maize.
He said, “In justifying the removal of subsidies, the government observed that the fuel subsidy was not benefitting the rural areas but the urban, Mr Speaker, we must be careful here. There is no analysis done to show that indeed, the rural poor do not in any way lead their lives in a manner that has no link to any activity, service or product which has fuel input in their production processes.”
He added that the argument is also silent on the fact that there exist poor people within urban areas, meaning that Zambia, with real unemployment rate of around 90 per cent may just have 90 per cent of its combined rural and urban population living in abject poverty.
“Remember that poverty is largely caused by unemployment,” he said.
“The so called urban rich actually support their poor rural relatives through social transfers. Withdrawing any support from them may actually affect their ability to assist their poor rural relatives, Mr Mulusa said”
MMD MP’s Situmbeko Musokotwane, Victoria Kalima and Garry Nkombo of UPND debated in favour of the motion while Nkana PF MP vehemently debated against reinstating the subsidies.
Former MMD National Secretry Major Kachingwe was yesterday booed by former Republican President Rupiah Banda’s sympathisers who called him a traitor for allegedly deciding to testify against Banda in a matter in which he is charged with one count of concealing gratification involving nine trucks all valued at K471, 000 contrary to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act No.38 of 2010.
The supporters who waited for Maj Kachingwe outside the court premises told him that it was a pity that he was “eating with both hands and that his time would come when others would also betray him like he had also betrayed Mr Banda.”
They started shouting thief, thief.thief behind the court premises bringing panic to police officers and other people waiting to see off their relatives in the prison vehicle commonly as ‘Kasalanga’ and was only saved when he was whisked away by a vehicle from the State.
The symphathisers warned Maj Kachingwe not to align himself to any political party and reminded him of the 2016 general elections.
Major Kachingwe yesterdays produced seven documents as evidence against the republican president. Particulars of the offence are that Banda on dates unknown but between January 1, 2011 and August 30, 2011, received nine motor vehicles valued at K471, 000, which were allegedly obtained as gratification from Sogecao Zambia Limited, a subsidiary of Anui Foreign Economic Construction Company which was contracted to construct the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
[pullquote]The symphathisers warned Maj Kachingwe not to align himself to any political party and reminded him of the 2016 general elections.[/pullquote]
Mr Banda through his lawyers Sakwiba Sikota, Steven Lungu, Lubinda Linyama, Mackebie Zulu, Patrick Mvunga and Ireen Kunda submitted that they needed time to study all the seven documents that had been produced by the witness.
The lawyers contended that they needed ample time to study the said documents looking at the volumes and that giving them hours to do so was going to be unfair on their part.
In response, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito said he did not object to the application for adjournment but called for both parties to make progress in the matter as two days had now been lost without any progress.
“I would have loved that we meet in the afternoon because we have lost two days, Monday and yesterday. My prayer is that we make progress in the matter,” he said.
But Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda in his ruling said it would not be possible for the court to resume in the afternoon because he was unwell and needed to have his last injection.
Earlier Maj Kachingwe had submitted documents among them letters from former Minister of Energy, Kenneth Konga to Nigeria requesting for Oil, appointing Maj Kachingwe to be the attorney as well as a reminder or follow up on the request.
Others were the oil deal contract, the remittance of the US$500,000 from Access Bank of Abuja in Nigeria to Barclays Bank in Singapore by Sarb Energy Managing Director in Nigeria Akpan Ekpan. The matter comes up today for continued trial.
A delegation of Chinese journalists and travel advisors are in the country to sample some of the tourist sites the country has to offer and later help market them to China.
The delegation that arrived in the country this afternoon is expected to leave for Livingstone tomorrow morning where they will tour the Victoria Falls and other tourist attractions found in the tourist capital.
Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB ) Marketing Manager Mato Shambale explained that the group will be in the country for 11 days during which they visit the south Luangwa national park and later proceed to visit the lower Zambezi.
ZANIS reports that the ZTB Marketing Manager said this when he received the entourage at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka, yesterday.
Mr. Shambale explained that the delegation’s visit is in a bid to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting the country.
He said with the growth of China’s economy, it has become the world’s biggest producer of tourists, adding that unfortunately only a small percentage of them visit Zambia.
Mr. Shambale attributed the low numbers of Chinese tourists visiting the country to lack of proper marketing of Zambia’s tourism to China.
He expressed hope that once the journalists and travel agents experience Zambia’s tourist attractions first hand, they will be able to paint a positive picture of Zambia’s tourism to China which will in turn increase the number of Chinese tourists to Zambia.
Mr.Shambale expressed confidence that Zambia will receive enough publicity in China through the stories the Chinese journalists will write.
