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President Michael Sata has said that he is concerned with the impact of tourism on the environment. The president said this when he met with United Nations World Tourism organisation (UNWTO) secretary general Taleb Rifai in Livingstone.
Mr Sata said tourism contributes to the pollution of the environment regardless of the type of tourists that visit Livingstone. He said in Mpika where he comes from there are a lot of rivers, which are still unknown to the people as making them tourist destinations would pollute the environment.
“We want to ensure that the place is natural and that is why we don’t want any tourist or the area to be known,” he said.
The President arrived in Livingstone Southern Province ahead of the signing ceremony of the Trilateral hosting agreement for the 2013 United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly.
President Sata, his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai are expected to sign the agreement at the Victoria Falls border.
The Head of State, who arrived at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport at 10:16 hours this morning, was received by Southern province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, senior government officials, Service Chiefs and Patriotic Front party officials.
The President is accompanied by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah.
Zambia and Zimbabwe are expected to co-host the 20th UNWTO General Assembly in 2013.
Economist Intelligence Unit published their outlook report on Zambia during the month of may. Below are some extracts from the report for their outlook for the period from 2012 to 2016
Political outlook
Political stability
President Michael Sata’s victory, which ended two decades of rule by the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), was underpinned by the perception that economic growth under the MMD largely benefited the political elite and foreign investors.
His first term is, therefore, likely to be dominated by three issues, namely Tackling corruption,Redistributing wealth and Cutting unemployment.
The PF’s parliamentary representation is set to grow slightly, as the party has had some success in its appeal against the election results in constituencies that were won by the MMD. The government attempted to deregister the MMD, on highly questionable grounds. Our core scenario is that the courts will block this or the government will back down. If not, political checks and balances in Zambia would be severely weakened.
[pullquote]Finally, Mr Sata’s campaign pledge to put more money in people’s pockets has raised expectations among his supporters, if there is little tangible change over the next year, urban unrest could arise.[/pullquote]
Although Mr Sata has toned down his pro-labour rhetoric,the mining sector has continued to face regular strikes over wages and working conditions. High global copper prices are likely to have been a factor in stoking discontent, and sporadic unrest is likely to continue as long as copper prices stay high.
Finally, Mr Sata’s campaign pledge to put more money in people’s pockets has raised expectations among his supporters, if there is little tangible change over the next year, urban unrest could arise.
Election Watch
The next round of elections is due in 2016. The vote is expected to be free and fair, but the run-up to voting is likely to be marred by bias in the state-owned media and the incumbents’ use of public resources to fund their campaigns.
Some election-related violence could occur but widespread violence would be unlikely—Zambia does not have a history of severe vote-rigging or incumbents ignoring election outcomes. The result of the elections will depend on whether the PF lives up to its campaign promises and whether the MMD is able to revamp its image, which has been battered by allegations of corruption.
[pullquote]Some election-related violence could occur but widespread violence would be unlikely—Zambia does not have a history of severe vote-rigging or incumbents ignoring election outcomes. [/pullquote]
The first draft of the revised constitution includes a clause changing the system for presidential elections from first-past-the-post to one in which the winning candidate would require more than 50% of the vote. If retained, this would weaken the advantages of incumbency, as a fragmented opposition would no longer guarantee victory for the ruling party. The draft also seeks to change the parliamentary vote from first-past-the-post to proportional representation; under the latter, the composition of parliament would more closely reflect voting patterns.
International Relations
Mr Sata, formerly a fervent critic of Chinese investors, has now softened his position substantially—an implicit recognition of China’s importance as a source of investment. Relations with Western donors could be undermined if abuses of office occurred under the new government. Zambia is expected to remain largely on good terms with other countries in the region.Mr Sata has expressed support for Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, placing him among a number of his peers in SADC but at odds with South Africa.
Relations between Zambia and the EU are expected to sour following accusations by Mr Sata that EU diplomats have interfered in Zambia’s internal affairs. This followed a meeting between the leaders of the main opposition parties and the EU head of delegation, Gilles Hervio.
[pullquote]However, it is in line with his general approach—the president has made U-turns on a number of issues, notably relations with China and mining taxation, for the sake of expediency.[/pullquote]
The EU has not confirmed what the meeting was about, although The Post reported that it was held to discuss the suspension of the three judges. Mr Sata’s remarks are striking given that he met with several diplomats when he was in opposition, prior to his election victory in September 2011.
However, it is in line with his general approach—the president has made U-turns on a number of issues, notably relations with China and mining taxation, for the sake of expediency.
The incident is not expected to jeopardise Zambia’s access to aid. However, it does come on the back of other developments that are likely to have been of concern to donors, and aid inflows could be undermined if this trend continues. Notable among these is the ongoing attempt to deregister the largest opposition party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Economic policy outlook
Policy trends
The government is likely to strike a balance between meeting the expectations of its supporters—less inequality, better industrial regulation and lower unemployment—and sustaining investment and growth. However, there is some risk that it will introduce policies that are poorly designed or counter-productive, which would undermine growth. In line with the central scenario,it is expected to stick to a market-orientated agenda and maintain macroeconomic stability.
Recent public-sector pay increases have been well in excess of inflation, but this state of affairs is not expected to continue over the rest of the forecast period.
Drastic changes in mining policy are not expected,but some measures will be taken to boost revenue from the sector (partly by ensuring better compliance with existing tax rates) and improve working conditions.
The 2012 budget has raised mineral royalty rates from 3% to 6% for base metals and to 5% for precious minerals. Further modest increases in mining taxes could be made in 2013-16 if copper prices stay high, as the Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts. The government has also said that it will negotiate increases in its stakes in the mines to 35% (from 10-20.6% at present) and may introduce restrictions on the repatriation of export earnings.
Chart showing Zambia's steady decreasing Aid and Increasing Fiscal revenue over the years
The reaction of mining companies to these policies has been muted, and we believe that the changes are likely to be accepted, although if handled badly (if, for example, the government were to renege on its commitment to increase its stakes in the mines via negotiation rather than coercion), investment in the sector could fall.
Infrastructure will improve gradually as investments are made in power supply and roads. Power generation is expected to grow by 50% in 2012-16,reducing the frequency of power cuts but not eliminating them. The fiscal incentives on investments in the “priority sectors” have been retained but could be lowered, as the threshold of US$500,000 for eligibility means that these tend mostly to favour foreign companies. Despite high levels of public spending on education, progress in improving its quality and relevance is likely to be slow.
Agriculture will remain high on the government’s agenda. Fertiliser subsidies will be retained but their share of the agriculture budget is set to fall slightly.
Although the subsidy scheme has allowed maize production to rise sharply, it is flawed: targeting is poor; a blanket support scheme for maize is inappropriate given that Zambia has three agro-ecological zones, each suited to different crops; and the impact on productivity has been weak. The government has acknowledged some of these issues and agricultural policy could become more effective over the forecast period.
Public-sector workers receive large pay increases
In April the government agreed to raise basic salaries for civil servants by 4-15%, to peg housing allowances to 20% of basic salaries and to introduce a transport allowance equivalent to 10% of basic salaries. This followed hefty wage increases for public health workers earlier in the year (February 2012, Economic performance). The wage increases do not seem to have been fully budgeted for—the government initially offered civil servants a 4% increase, but this was rejected—and no details have been provided of the cost to the exchequer or the implications for the fiscal deficit.
The increases are consistent with the campaign pledge of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to put more money in people’s pockets, but raise questions about whether the government is capable of balancing this objective against the need to maintain macroeconomic stability.
In response to the wage increase we have revised our forecast of the fiscal deficit in 2012 from 5.9% of GDP to 6.2%; this is based on the assumption that capital spending will be lower than projected in order to counter some of the impact of the wage increase. Despite this, debt-servicing capacity is expected to stay intact, partly because the debt stock has been fairly small ever since Zambia received debt relief in 2005—it stood at an estimated 27.3% of GDP at end 2011—and partly because fiscal revenue is likely to be supported by strong economic growth.
However, if uncertainty about the direction of economic policy were to increase, undermining investor confidence, this would prompt a revision to our outlook for sovereign creditworthiness.
Fiscal policy
Fiscal policy will be expansionary in 2012-13. The government projects the deficit at 5.6% in 2012 as expenditure grows by 30% while domestic revenue and grants grow by 25% and 19% respectively. Expenditure overruns are likely following the recent hefty wage increases for civil servants and public-sector health workers, although we expect that this will be partly offset by lower than budgeted capital spending. Overall, we forecast a deficit of 6.2% of GDP (previously 5.9%) in 2012.
Thereafter, growth in public spending is expected to moderate, picking up slightly in the run-up to the election in 2016. Revenue growth will be robust, in line with economic trends. Grants are expected to grow steadily but to finance a smaller share of the budget (6.4% by 2016). The fiscal deficit is forecast to moderate to 2.6% of GDP by 2015, before picking up to 3.4% in 2016.
Public debt is forecast to rise from 27.3% of GDP in 2011 to 35.4% by 2016. Public debt-servicing capacity is expected to stay intact over the medium term, although a failure to invest borrowed funds wisely could undermine longer-term debt sustainability.
Zambia's Foreign Exchange Reserves trend
Monetary policy
The Bank of Zambia (BoZ, the central bank) will focus on keeping inflation within single digits. It will be helped by fairly stable global commodity prices,which will allow it to cut its benchmark interest rate slightly over the forecast period. The benchmark rate, currently set at 9%, was introduced in late March,
However, financial markets are thin and supply-side factors and monetary aggregates will remain important determinants of prices. The rebasing of the Zambian kwacha—1,000 units of the present currency would be equal to one unit of the new currency—is scheduled for 2012. The replacement of current banknotes with the new currency is to take place over a two-year transition period.
Chart showing Zambian kwacha's the exchange rate trend and Inflation
Economic growth
Real GDP growth is forecast to moderate to 5.9% (previously 6.3%) in 2012 as erratic rainfall damages the maize harvest. A sharper slowdown is not expected because of investments in power and mining and rapid growth in public spending.
Growth is expected to increase to an average of 6.9% in m2013-16. The main drivers will be agriculture, construction and mining. Agricultural growth will be underpinned by a public-spending push, the recent reduction in the corporate tax rate in the sector from 15% to 10% and the potential offered by Zambia’s vast tracts of uncultivated arable land and abundant fresh water.
Growth in mining will soar in 2014-15 as investments at the Kansanshi, Lumwana and Konkola mines, as well as First Quantum’s new Trident mine, approach completion. Our forecast allows for delays in these projects, and growth would be higher if they were completed on time.
Construction growth is expected to average 12.5% in 2012-14, driven primarily by planned investments in mining and power, and to edge down after that to 7% in 2016 as mining investment subsides after a period of strong growth. Services and manufacturing (which consists mainly of agro-processing) are expected to grow at an average of 5.9% per year.
The former will be driven by telecommunications, financial services, retail and the public sector, and the latter by copper output, investments in the multi-facility economic zones (MFEZs) and financial incentives for investment in the priority sectors. Growth would be lower in the event of a drought, if the incidence of strikes were to escalate, if the euro zone were to collapse or if the incidence of politicised decision-making were to increase, deterring investors.
Charts showing Annual GDP growth and Comsumer Price Index
Zambia still exports maize even as bad weather cuts yield
Zambia’s output of the staple food, maize, is expected to decline by 11%, from 3.2m tonnes in 2011 to 2.85m tonnes in 2012, according to the minister of agriculture and livestock, Emmanuel Chenda. It will, however, continue to exceed the domestic consumption requirement of roughly 2.6m tonnes.
This will help to keep domestic food prices in check, although the continued rise in global oil prices in 2012 will raise the cost of transporting food from surplus regions to deficit regions, putting some pressure on prices. The decline in production has been driven primarily by poor rainfall—maize cultivation in Zambia remains largely rainfed.
It is also due to a 34% decline in the area of land cultivated with maize by commercial farmers, although this will have been less significant, as commercial farmers account for only about 20% of maize production. Official data indicate that commercial farmers have been shifting towards more lucrative crops such as cotton, production of which is expected to rise by 122% to 269,502 tonnes in 2012, and soya beans, whose output is expected to increase by 74% to 203,038 tonnes.
Chart showing the Maize trend ouput and interventions over the years
Inflation
Inflation averaged 8.7% in 2011 as production of the staple food, maize, vastly exceeded domestic demand, keeping food prices in check, but fuel and electricity prices soared. Domestic maize production will continue to exceed demand, keeping food prices fairly stable.
However, expansionary fiscal policy and further rises in electricity tariffs will stoke inflation in 2012. In 2013-15 inflation is expected to ease as growth in electricity prices slows (following large increases in previous years as tariffs were raised towards cost-recovery levels) and fiscal policy is tightened. It is expected to pick up in 2016 as public spending growth increases in the run-up to the election.
In March we revised our inflation forecasts following the adoption of a rebased consumer price index (CPI). The new CPI is based on consumption patterns in 2002/03, compared with 1994 previously. As expected, food’s share of consumption has declined, from 57% to 53%, as income levels have increased. Food inflation is lower than non-food inflation—a trend that is set to continue—so the new weights will tend to boost inflation estimates.
This effect will, however, be offset by the “formula effect” of using geometric means to calculate item indices instead of arithmetic means—the former incorporates the impact of price changes on consumption patterns. The net effect will be to lower inflation estimates.
In line with this, we forecast inflation at 7.1% in 2012 and at an average of 7% in 2013-16. Further modest revisions are likely as the impact of the new formula—which varies in line with the dispersion of price changes—becomes clearer.
Zambia's imports sources and export destinationations
Exchange rates
The kwacha’s value will be supported by strong growth in copper production (particularly in 2014-16), large foreign investment inflows and high public external borrowing. This will be offset by robust import demand, a stronger US dollar and slower growth in copper prices.
Overall, the kwacha is forecast to depreciate by 10% to ZK5,345:US$1 in 2012 as uncertainty about global economic prospects and domestic policy undermine confidence in the currency, and more gradually, to ZK6,274:US$1 by 2016, as copper exports rise sharply following the completion of major mining projects.
The dominance of copper in the export basket will continue to expose the currency to external shocks. The planned rebasing of the kwacha will alter the value of our forecasts—for example, from ZK5,642:US$1 to ZK5.64:US$1 for 2013—although their substance would remain unchanged.
External sector
The current account is forecast to return to deficit, of 3% of GDP in 2012 and 2.8% of GDP in 2013, as growth in the production of copper (which accounts for more than 80% of exports) slows while imports continue to grow robustly, supported by high domestic demand and investment.
Thereafter, the deficit is forecast to decline, with the current account going into modest surplus in 2015-16 as exports increase by over 50%. This will be driven mainly by a sharp rise in copper production as major mining projects are completed, but also by modest growth in copper prices and slightly higher non-traditional exports.
The services deficit is forecast to widen as growth in tourism is outweighed by a rise in services debits (in line with goods imports). The income deficit is expected to grow steadily as profits at the mines rise, boosting income debits. Transfer inflows are forecast to increase in line with aid, but will remain small and will have little impact on trends in the current account.
Zambia's GDP performance in 2011 compared to other SADC countries
Zambia's GDP change in 2011 compared to other SADC countries
Motorists queue up for fuel in Kitwe. Most filling stations have run out of the commodity and motorists have to spend long hours in queues for fuel.
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Motorists queue up for fuel in Kitwe. Most filling stations have run out of the commodity and motorists have to spend long hours in queues for fuel.
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Police keep vigil after street vendors rioted at Chisokone market in Kitwe
4.
Northern Province MMD chairman Steven Mukuka talks to party members during the northern province convention at Million Lodge in Kasama.
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-Northern Provincel MMD chairman Steven Mukuka casts his vote during the provincial convention at Million Lodge in Kasama
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A MMD Northern province convention delegate campaigning for a candidate before voting at Million Lodge in Kasama.
7.
Judicial and Allied Workers Union of Zambia president Peter Mwale (r) and union deputy general secretary Mathews Mwale during a press briefing in Lusaka on their call for Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to resign
8.
A critical shortage of fuel has hit Mansa District again. This is the second time that Mansa is experiencing fuel shortage this year. Here, Motorists queue up in anticipation of the scarce commodity at AMICO filling station.
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Motorists in Mansa waiting in anticipation of fuel at AMICO filling station.
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A critical shortage of fuel has hit Mansa District again. This is the second time that Mansa is experiencing fuel shortage this year. Here, Motorists queue up in anticipation of the scarce commodity at AMICO filling station.
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Motorists chat as they wait in the long queues for fuel in Mansa
12.
An unidentified man goes through the rubble after a fire swept through his house in Mazabuka.
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Some road rehabilitation projects left by the MMD government are still progressing. Here, a grader from Sable Construction levelling gravel and stones on the once rugged Katima Mulilo road in Lusaka. The road will be upgraded from two lanes to four lanes to ease congestion on the stretch.
14.
Some road rehabilitation projects left by the MMD government are still progressing. Here, a grader from Sable Construction levelling gravel and stones on the once rugged Katima Mulilo road in Lusaka. The road will be upgraded from two lanes to four lanes to ease congestion on the stretch.
15.
Some road rehabilitation projects left by the MMD government are still progressing. Here, a grader from Sable Construction levelling gravel and stones on the once rugged Katima Mulilo road in Lusaka. The road will be upgraded from two lanes to four lanes to ease congestion on the stretch.
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President Sata with Zimbabwean minister of security Dr Sydney Sekeramayi
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President Sata meets Zimbabwean minister of security Dr Sydney Sekeramayi at State House
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Western Province Permanent Secretary Bett Mushala with PF Secretary general Winter Kabimba when he arrived in Mongu on a special Zambia Air Force flight.
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PF- Secretary General Winter Kabimba greeting PF members at Mongu airport.
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PF- Secretary General Winter Kabimba and PF Western Province Chairman Kenneth Namutulo after Mr Kabimba arrived in Mongu on a special Zambia Air Force flight.
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PF- Secretary General Winter Kabimba and PF Western Province Chairman Kenneth Namutulo dancing with PF members at the provincial hall in Mongu.
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PF- Secretary General Winter Kabimba addressing the PF members in Mongu
Choma call-boys undressed an unidentified young lady after she was spotted dressed in a very short skirt last week.
The hooligans lifted up the young woman at shoulder height and undressed her in the process right in Choma town centre. They chanted against the wearing of mini-skirts.
Some tried to rescue the girl while other dashed to the scene with a wrapper to cover her nudity. The woman was quickly whisked into a nearby retail shop but the call-boys besieged the place, demanding the owner of the place to release the lady for more punishment.
“They stopped us from drinking ‘tujilijili’ but why are they allowing prostitution in day light like this. We wont accept that” some call boys were heard shouting.[pullquote]Let’s undress her so that she stops behaving in that manner. We need decency in dressing among ladies. This prostitute is reminding us of bedroom issues when we already left our homes in the morning,” some boys shouted.[/pullquote]
“Let this prostitute come out of the shop so that we see her and deal with her,” some shouted
After a while, a woman led the girl out of the shop with a wrapper on her body, but the call-boys stood by demanding to deal with the lady who could have been raped in broad day light if the mob had not been controlled.
“Let’s undress her so that she stops behaving in that manner. We need decency in dressing among ladies. This prostitute is reminding us of bedroom issues when we already left our homes in the morning,” some boys shouted.
But some women, who temporarily offered protection to the victim within the trading area, condemned the harassment saying some men had wives who dressed poorly but they did nothing to bring sanity in their homes.
As the mob continued chanting against her around Quarters trading area, Choma police came and put the victim in their vehicle and drove
off.Southern Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta, who was within Choma town at the time of the incident, condemned the harassment of the
woman.
Mwaliteta said it was unfortunate that such an incident could happen in Choma which was being developed into a provincial capital of Southern Province.
“As Government, we won’t tolerate people who harass women in such a manner. Don’t scare women from coming to town.I don’t expect such things to happen in Southern Province because the area is peaceful and disciplined,” he said. Mr Mwaliteta urged Choma residents to embrace all people as the town would be bigger and have different people as it fully becomes a provincial capital.
And Southern Province commissioner of police Brenda Muntemba said the police managed to control the call-boys because they had a duty to
protect any citizen who was being harassed.
Ms Muntemba, who declined to give further details, said it was a duty of the police to maintain law and order in Zambia.
THE State has lodged a notice of appeal against the High Court ruling of a stay granted to two High Court judges, Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga.
The two judges had applied for judicial review and a stay of their suspensions and proceedings of a tribunal set up by President Michael Sata to investigate them on allegations of impropriety.
Attorney-General, Mumba Malila in a notice of appeal filed in the Supreme Court yesterday stated that the State was not satisfied with the ruling by High Court Judge, Fulgence Chisanga.
“Take notice that the appellant here in the Attorney-General being dissatisfied with ruling of Judge Chisanga delivered on May 24 this year, intended to appeal to the Supreme Court against the whole ruling dismissing the appellant’s application to discharge leave to apply for judicial review,” he said.
Justices Mutuna and Kajimanga have dragged the State to court claiming that their suspensions and subsequent appointment of the tribunal by President Sata were illegally done.
The two were granted a stay to prevent the tribunal from sitting pending full determination of the matter by the High Court.
Ms Justice Chisanga had also granted the duo leave to apply for judicial review which would operate as a stay of Mr Sata’s decision to appoint the tribunal.
In her ruling, Justice Chisanga dismissed, with costs, the State’s application to set aside the stay, saying the purpose of judicial review was to ensure that the individuals were given fair treatment.
“The respondents have not demonstrated that the application hearing for judicial review is fundamentally misconceived and bound to fail at the substantive hearing. I, therefore, dismiss the application with costs,” she had said.
Nchelenge district Planner under the district medical office has disclosed that the district was currently running health centers without toilet facilities.
District Planner at the District medical Office Gift Kajongola disclosed this when newly appointed Luapula Province permanent secretary Anna Mwitwa held a meeting with district heads of Government departments in the district commissioner’s office.
He said health centers in the district were running without toilet facilities because of lack of funds for infrastructure development.
He said the few toilets that were being used were 80 per cent full and the district was finding it a problem to attend to the problem because there was no provision in the current funding ratios for
infrastructure development.
He said in the past there was a provision of 10 per cent meant for infrastructure repairs and corresponding works but the component was removed which has created a huge problem for the health sector as many patients were being inconvenienced when they came to the medical facilities.
And Nchelenge Acting District Commissioner Elvis Nsamba confirmed the seriousness of the problem in the district and cited Kashikishi Clinic which was servicing a big population size but had no toilet facility for the patients.
And newly appointed Luapula Province Permanent secretary Anna Mwitwa said it was important for the problem of toilets in the district health facilities to receive the attention it deserved because provision of health should be holistic.
Wild animals are terrorizing villagers and ravaging crops in chief Kazembe’s area in Lundazi district in Eastern Province.
Chieftainess kazembe stated that despite reporting the mater to Zambia Wild life Authority (ZAWA) in Lundazi, nothing has been done to stop the animals, especially elephants and buffaloes, from causing more havoc.
She charged that it was unfortunate that ZAWA officers have failed to intervene in the matter by cropping the animals and feared that human life might be lost to the beasts.
The traditional leader also expressed fear that if the animals are not stopped from ravaging the fields, people in the valley area will be faced with starvation this year.
She named the affected villages as Chibeza, Mtimbasonje, Kampamba, Mkwinda, Joka, Chibande, Chikwekwe, Chitete and Chilomo.
Meanwhile, Chieftainess Kazembe has complained of the critical water shortage in her area, saying all the boreholes have dried up forcing villager to share water from shallow wells with wild animals.
She said the few boreholes in villages and schools including rivers have dried up.
She has since appealed to government to intervene in the matter.
Former works and supply minister and MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti
Former MMD member Mike Mulongoti has said that Patriotic Front Secretary General Winter Kabimba has no authority over the decisions of the MMD. Mr. Mulongoti said that Mr. Kabimba is not the right person to comment on whether the MMD has made the right decision in electing Dr. Nevers Mumba as party leader or not because it does not concern him.
Speaking to QFM, Mr. Mulongoti said that as a founding member of the MMD, nobody in the party would want to auction the party. He noted that in any democracy, once people have voted, the decision is irreversible, whether people are happy with the results or not.
Mr. Mulongoti has since advised the newly elected MMD president Dr. Nevers Mumba to provide leadership that will lead to the success of the party.
He noted that the biggest challenge Dr. Mumba has before him is to remove the corruption tag the former ruling party has.
Newly elected MMD president Nevers Mumba has promised party members that he will never abandon them. Dr. Mumba said that he is aware of the huge task ahead of him in presiding over the affairs of the former ruling party.
He said that he will ensure that he works on uniting the party in readiness for the 2016 elections. Dr. Mumba has thanked members of the MMD and other people that rallied behind him through votes and endorsements.
He said that the former ruling party will continue providing checks and balances and ensure that the current government remains accountable to the people of Zambia. Dr. Mumba has called on MMD members to ensure that the party is strengthened at all levels.
Meanwhile, Former Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Bishop Paul Mususu has charged that the opposition in the country has been weakened. Bishop Mususu said that the plural politics that Zambians wanted has failed to materialize because of a weak opposition.
He has observed that whatever the opposition brings to the attention of the government seems to be landing on deaf ears. Bishop Mususu explained to QFM News that tenets of plural politics need to be upheld in the name of democracy.
He said in its current weak state, the opposition cannot provide the necessary effective checks and balances to the government.
Former Access Financial Services Limited (AFSL Director Aaron Chungu has revealed alleged gross financial mismanagement in the liquidation of DEFUNCT Access Financial Services Limited.
Speaking today at a press briefing in Lusaka Mr. Chungu disclosed that the Central Bank has in the last nine years of managing the financial institution failed to pay tax in excess of one billion kwacha.
Mr. Chungu further said that about one point five billion Kwacha was also paid to two employees who testified against him and his co-accused in the corruption case in the magistrate court.
He has also charged that huge salaries and administration payments in excess of twelve billion Kwacha were unjustly paid despite BOZ claiming that the financial institution was insolvent.
Clifford Mulenga and Isaac Chansa made transfer news on Monday with bright prospects ahead for the 2012/2013 SA PSL.
Mulenga for one is definitely leaving the Free State club Bloemfontein Celtic after two seasons there and is returning to Gauteng.
The winger is heading back to Pretoria where his South African adventure first stated at University of Pretoria FC over eight years ago together with defender Davies Nkausu.
The two are set for a reunion at SuperSport United next season after Mulenga’s move was confirmed on Monday.
Chansa on the other hand has been linked with Orlando Pirates old archrivals and 2011/2012 league runners-up Moroka Swallows.
The midfielder has had a frosty return to Pirates after the 2012 Africa Cup.
Swallows are Pirates’ second rivals to have expressed interest in Chansa after Kaiser Chiefs were reportedly also interested in the player a fortnight ago.
Government wants to charter a plane to fly the Zambia national team from its Johannesburg training camp to Khartoum ahead of Saturday’s 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier against Sudan.
Football Association of Zambia communications officer Erick Mwanza said Football House was still consulting with the sports ministry over the travel itinerary.
“We are still consulting on travel arrangements with the ministry,” Mwanza said.
“The progamnme we are working on says we must be in Khartoum 48-24 hours before kickoff.
Mwanza said Zambia will fly directly back to Zambia and to Ndola in particular after the Sudan game on June 2 where they will camp and host Ghana in both teams second Group D game at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on June 9.
And Mwanza could not say whether Herve Renard will travel with all 27 players in camp or the required 18 for this Saturday’s opening 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier.
“The preparations that is here is for dual games, so it will be the coach’s call,” he said.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Mayuka and Davies Nkausu have joined the team at its Johannesburg training camp after taking care of league and cup obligations at Young Boys in Switzerland and SuperSport United in South Africa respectively.
Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga of Chinses clubs Henan FC and Dalian Shide respectively are expected on Tuesday to complete the team.
Roan United Chairperson Pearson Mwale has revealed that club caretaker coach Kaunda Simonda will not be considered for the vacant top job at Kafubu Stadium.
Roan have launched a search for a new coach after sacking Chris Chibuye last Thursday.
Mwale said the club executive is looking for a more experienced trainer to take over the mantle from sacked Chibuye.
“No,these (Kaunda and Hilary Makasa) will be assistant coaches, we are looking for a head coach who is experienced. We are developing Mr. Simonda into a head coach and we have even brought in Hilary just to train him to be a coach,” he said.
Kaunda, a long serving assistant coach at Roan, is currently in charge of the Luanshya side alongside ex-Chipolopolo defender Makasa who joined the bench last Friday.
Mwale added that the club has started receiving applications for the coaching role.
“We are receiving some applications, once we get four to five credible applications then we will call them for interviews,” he stated
Former president Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew failed to show up for questioning before the joint team of investigative wings, otherwise known as the Taskforce on Corruption in Lusaka.
Andrew Banda is Zambia’s deputy High Commission to India, but the Patriotic Front government brought him back to Zambia in March so that he can be investigated for alleged corruption.He was expected to appear before the taskforce on Corruption at 09:00 hours on Monday, May 28, 2012.
Joint Government Investigation Team public relations officer Namukolo Kasumpa said Mr.Banda failed to show up because of unforeseen circumstances.
“Mr Andrew Banda has failed to appear at the former Taskforce on Corruption office for continued interview to the previous interrogation by the Joint Government Investigation Team.He is unable to appear due to unforeseen circumstance and his lawyer Mr Sikota has since communicated to us that they will come on Tuesday,May 29, 2012 at 9:00 hours,” she said.
According to the May4 th Post newspaper Mr.Banda’s lawyer Sakwiba Sikota is reported to have said investigative wings had asked former president Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew, to submit a long list of things he used to buy in his house.They asked for a long comprehensive list and the only things they did not ask to provide are the groceries that he used to buy.
Asked what things on the list investigators had asked Andrew to submit and if he was ready to furnish them, Sikota responded: “I am told everything apart from the groceries. That’s why we say it is harassment, not everybody is asked to do that. Well if he doesn’t, they are going to lock him up like they did Dora Siliya.”
Mr Banda was interrogated by the taskforce on allegations of corruption that he solicited a 2% bribe made on all road contracts offered to an Italian company, Fratelli Locci.
It is believed that the agreement between Fratelli Locci and Mr Banda was signed in July 2001.
Mr Banda is alleged to have received over K195 million from the Italian company, which was engaged for road projects by the Road Development Agency.
In Men in Black 3, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back…in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K’s life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him — secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.
PROS
Great acting by the whole cast especially Josh Brolin who plays young Agent K.
The special effects were top notch ,the aliens looked very realistic.
It had a good story line and great ending
FAVORITE QUOTES
Agent K: Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to.
Griffin: The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie.
Griffin: First we gotta get high.
Agent J: My man, for real?
CONCLUSION
Men In Black 3 far surpasses the second installment of the franchise, and while it still posses over-the-top moments that are completely unbelievable – it still retains the charm from the original Men In Black. Will Smith and Josh Brolin had good chemistry which gave us many great moments . It is a very entertaining movie that has humor , action ,time-travel , what else would you want.
