THE Government warned that it will not hesitate to de-register any organisation frastrating government effort.
Home affaris Deputy Mininster Nickson Chilangwa sounded the warning in Kafue during the official launch of the Retired Ministers and Kasaka Community Association of Clixby Estates.
Mr Chilangwa said the Government was ready to work with the church and any organisation that wanted to bring development but would not allow the church or any organisation to bring confusion in the country.
Mr Chilangwa said the removal of subsides was a decision taken for the good of the country.
He, however, said if the church felt there should be dialogue over the removal of susidies, it should follow the right channel and not try to bring confusion.
Mr Chilangwa called on the people of Kasaka to trust the Government on the issue of subsides as the move was made in the interest of the nation.
On homosexuality, Mr Chilangwa commended the church for opposing calls for homosexuality in Zambia.
He further said the Government would not accept calls for the release of the gay couples.
Speaking at the same function, Kafue District Commissioner (DC) Grace Ngulube condemed what happened at Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA), saying men of God should desist from politiking as the move would bring the name of the church in disrepute.
Ms Ngulube said the church was there to give guidaiance to the Government and not to bring confusion in the nation.
‘We as Christians, let’s work together with the Government and bring development to this nation, not frustrating Government efforts,” she said
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe confers with his Zambian counterpart President Michael Sata during the 20th Anniversary of TICAD and 50th Anniversary of OAU-AU where he delivered a keynote address. This was during the opening of the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African development at Pacifico Yokohama Conference Centre in Japan on June 1,2013-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has said that Zambia has posted great improvement in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) due to increased investor confidence and improved general investment climate.
Mr Sata said in Japan yesterday that the country’s FDI inflows had further been boosted by the improved investor perception, enhanced investment climate and improved trust between the public and private sectors.
The President said during the opening day of the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) that Zambia was conducive for further investments.
“The recent oversubscription of the debut Eurobond on the international capital market is a clear attestation of international investor confidence in our economy,” Mr Sata said.
He said that Japan had continued to be a major player in Zambia’s FDI landscape with several firms investing in the Southern African country.
Speaking during the third session dubbed: ‘Dialogue with the private sector’, Mr Sata said recently, Zambia witnessed the establishment of Hitachi manufacturing plant in Lusaka set to boost development in the mining sector in the country and beyond.
On TICAD, Mr Sata said Zambia was ready to support the implementation of the outcomes of the conference and the lessons learnt from the previous such meetings.
“Going forward is Zambia’s desire, and the TICAD outcome will invigorate and build on gains made under TICAD IV of boosting economic growth, ensuring human security and addressing climate change.” Mr Sata said.
“I wish to reaffirm our Government’s commitment to the implementation of the Yokohama outcome document, namely, the Yokohama Declaration and Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017.”
He paid tribute to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abbe for inviting Zambia to participate in the conference, saying it was a rare opportunity to take stock of progress made in implementing the resolutions from the previous summit.
“It provides an opportunity to share ideas and address challenges and adopt new strategies in our quest to enhance and deepen cooperation between Africa and Japan,” Mr Sata said.
He said African countries had been registering commendable progress in fostering economic growth and improving general living conditions of the people on the continent.
“These can be partly attributed to the continent’s commitment to undertaking reforms with support from cooperating partners like Japan,” the President said.
On the Public Private Partnership (PPP) dialogue, Mr Sata said the concept was an important ingredient in the creation of strong and enabling business environment.
He said through the PPP dialogue within Africa and with developed economies like Japan, synergies could be created to address the challenges.
“We commended the support that the Japanese Government has continued to give in fostering the private sector in African countries,” Mr Sata said.
Zambia had greatly benefited from public/private sector dialogue through the implementation of the Triangle of Hope initiative with the assistance from Japan.
Through the TICAD process, the Zambian Government has implemented a strategic action initiative for economic development from 2006 to 2012 aimed at creating a platform for Zambia’s economic diversification, among other objectives.
“I am happy to report that through the initiatives, Zambia has established a framework of dealing with the business community that is anchored on political will and integrity, private sector dynamism and integrity and civil service efficiency and integrity as three key drivers towards accelerated economic development,” Mr Sata said.
“Even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
(Acts 10:38, ASV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
The first thing Jesus did before healing, before ministering, before delivering is that He was good to people. Think about that for a moment. We all have an assignment. You could say that we all have a ministry. It may not be up in front of people. It may not be to go overseas and be a missionary. Our ministry starts by being good to people.
When goodness flows out of our hearts, it catches people’s attention. It causes them to want to know more about what we have. We can say all day long, “I love you,” but true love is seen in what we do. If I really love you, I’ll be good to you. I’ll prefer you. God said to Abraham, “I will bless you and you will be a blessing.” One key to being blessed is: are you willing to be a blessing? Are you willing to do good?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I ask that You empower me to do good. Help me to love others. Use me to be a blessing and be a testimony of Your goodness so that others may come to know You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Arthur Davies Stadium erupted into its worst riots in the clubs history after Power Dynamos lost 1-0 to visiting Green Buffaloes.
The Power fans prime target was coach Beston Chambeshi who has failed to lift the teams fortunes after last season’s failure to defending the league and Barclays Cup.
“We want change! We want change! and “We want (Fordson )Kabole!” rung around Power’s dressing room where Power and Chambeshi were holed up while Buffaloes and their coach Patrick Phiri safely made their way out of Arthur Davies and were applauded by the angry fans.
“Uleya elyo weka bwelako kuno (Go and never return)!” one fan shouted.
Power fans were later pushed back from the stadium by riot police before replying with stones and bottles forcing police to retreat briefly.
Police later replied with tear gas and fought a mini running battle with fans while officials and football fans ducked for safety inside the Arthur Davies bar and stadium offices.
“I have been a Power supporter for the last 30 years and this is the first time I have ever seen such a scene here,” said one Power fan.
Ex-Power defender Zifa Nkhoma was also manhandled by police who mistook him for one of the rioter but was saved by officials and onlookers from being bundled into a police van.
Chambeshi dumped his car at the stadium so too did his players who were also forced to abandon their brand new luxury team bus and left the stadium in their old Rosa mini bus under heavy police escort.
Meanwhile, Power were sucker punched by Buffaloes after striker Percy Bilyoti slipped the ball through goalkeeper Joshua Titima’s legs in the 87th minute.
The Oasis Forum has condemned the actions by the Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who attacked a peaceful gathering of several Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Lusaka yesterday.
The consortium of civil society gathered at the Bible Gospel Outreach Church in Africa (BIGOCA) in Matero Township to pray and peacefully protest government’s removal of subsidies on maize and fuel.
In a joint statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, the forum noted that the action by the PF cadres is unprecedented and totally shocking.
The statement was signed by Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) General Secretary Suzzane Matale, Law Association Zambia (LAZ) President James Banda, Non- Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo and Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Father Cleophas Lungu respectively.
The association has also accused the PF government of having introduced what it termed as intolerance in politics after having spoken to some of the injured victims.
It has indicated that the manner of the violence portrayed yesterday suggests pre- meditated and planned behaviour.
The association further lamented the diminishing space for dissent in the country adding that in a democratic set up, citizens and opposition political parties must be accorded legitimate space to register different opinions and government must not be seen to stifle genuine disagreement.
The Oasis Forum has however reiterated its call on the Zambia Police to be impartial and protect all citizens at all times.
It has also called on the PF cadres to embrace civil ways of co-existence.
Zesco United shot to the top of the Super League table for at least 24 hours after thumping Konkola Mine Police 4-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday.
Zesco now have 24 points, one above second placed Nkana who takes on Nkwazi on Sunday at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka in a delayed tie.
Winger Winston Kalengo grabbed a brace for Zesco with goals in the 50th and 62nd minutes.
Midfielder Mwelwa Mwape put Zesco in the lead after 25 minutes with a long ranger thunderbolt that hit the upright before the ball rolled into the net.
Maybin Mwaba added Zesco’s second on the nick of half time with a long range effort benefiting from a defensive error in the Mine Police backline.
Substitute Jack Mwanza reduced the deficit with a 57th minute goal scored against the run of play.
This was before Kalengo headed in Zesco’s fourth goal and his second on the day.
Zesco have registered 14 goals in their last four matches.
Mine Police remain stuck on 12 points after 11 matches.
MTN/FAZ SUPER DIVISION
Week 11
01/06/2013
Napsa Stars 1-Nchanga Rangers 0
Roan United 0-Forest Rangers 0
Kabwe Warriors 1-Zanaco 0
Red Arrows 2-Kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Power Dynamos 0-Green Buffaloes 1
Konkola Blades 0-Lime Hotspurs 0
Zesco United 4-Konkola Mine Police 1
02/06/2013
Nkwazi -Nkana
Struggling Super Division side Lime Hotspurs secretary Brown Phiri has brushed aside reports suggesting that his club has appointed Levy “Chabby” Chabala as coach.
Chabala has been linked to Lime after he is said to have resigned as coach of Super Division side Kalulushi Modern Stars on Thursday.
Phiri said Lime are yet to appoint a new coach.
He revealed that the Ndola outfit was expecting to name the new club head coach next week.
“Not yet, we will be making that decision (to hire a new coach) next week,” Phiri said on Friday.
Lime advertised the club’s vacant coaching job after firing Mathews Ndhlovu last month before reinstating him as acting head coach.
Lime are second from the bottom of the table with five points in 10 matches ahead of their Week 11 match against Konkola Blades in Chililabombwe on Saturday.
The Livingstone district Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has strongly condemned the harassment and beating of Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA ) congregants by suspected PF cadres on Friday 31st May 2013 in Lusaka.
In a press statement made available to ZANIS today, District FODEP Chairperson Gideon Musonda said it is extremely unfortunate that despite FODEP’s tireless efforts of promoting the evolution of a political culture based on civic responsibility of both leaders and citizens at national and local levels, there is still a rising level of intolerance and violence especially among political party cadres.
Mr Musonda said the thuggerly behaviour that was exhibited at a place of worship must be condemned by all well meaning citizens and should never be entertained in a democratic society that all have accepted to embrace.
“Political leaders and their cadres must be reminded that in a democratic society basic fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, expression, information and freedom of the press, Freedom of
assembly and association must all be respected,” said Mr Musonda.
“People with divergent views especially on policy issues must be accommodated and violence should never be a solution to an argument” said Mr Musonda.
Mr Musonda said FODEP’s appeal was for the government to open up and earnestly allow citizens to debate its policies saying this is one of the cardinal ways in which citizens participate in the social,political and economical affairs of the country.
He said the footage shown on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) was clear and should help police to expeditiously arrest those behind the act.
And Mr Musonda said the organization has done a survey in Livingstone over their reaction to the removal of subsidies saying people’s major concern was not the removal of subsidy but the drastic removal devoid of explanation on how the government was going to cushion the immediate effect resulting from the measure.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Kennedy Sakeni (c) with Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga during the World Press Freedom Day speeches in Lusaka
Government has learnt with regret the reported violence in Lusaka’s Matero Township yesterday.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said although government does not subscribe to the aims and ideas of organisations that were behind the meeting in Matero, it unreservedly condemns the violence that was reported to have occurred yesterday.Mr Sakeni said in as much as the PF government will uphold and defend rights of every citizen, clergymen should also avoid being partisan in discussing matters of national importance.
Press Statement in Full
Statement by Hon.Kennedy Sakeni Chief Government spokesman on violence that rocked Matero township yesterday
Government has learnt with regret the reported violence in Lusaka’s Matero township yesterday. Although the Government does not subscribe to the aims and ideals of the organisations that were behind the meeting in Matero, we would like to unreservedly condemn the violence that is reported to have occurred yesterday.
This type of hooliganism cannot be condoned in a democratic society like ours. We therefore call upon all law enforcement agencies to ensure that they leave no stone unturned and bring all culprits behind this barbaric action to book.
May I seize this opportunity to reiterate that the PF Government under the leadership of His Excellency the President Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata believes in democratic and peaceful exchange of ideas between dissenting sections of society.
On the other hand, in as much as the PF Government will uphold and defend the rights of every citizen, we would like to advise members of the clergy against using houses of worship for occasions that are clearly political and inimical to the peace and good order of the Republic. We would also wish to advise the Clergy to avoid being partisan in discussing matters of national importance.
The Government stands ready to hear the views of both those who are for or against the removal of subsidies but the expression of these views must be done in an orderly, peaceful and non-partisan manner bearing in mind the best interests of the Republic of Zambia.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
United Party for National Development (UPND) Northern province Information and Publicity Secretary Edward Musonda has condemned the decision by councils to divert Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to buy graders and other equipment in the nation.
In a press statement to ZANIS in Kasama today Mr Musonda said the diversion is wrong and an attack on government’s decentralization policy.
He said the move made by some local authorities in the nation should stop as the CDF funds are meant to supplement developmental programmes that are not debated by parliament.
Mr Musonda noted that for councils to temper with the funds is tantamount to misapplication of tax payers money which should not be allowed.
He pointed out that councils obtain grants and collect revenue from levies and rates and grabbing funds from constituencies which have no sources of income is stealing development from poor people.
The UPND Information Publicity Secretary said the grabbing of CDF funds can also be described as expanding gap of poverty between the privileged councils and the un privileged poor people in constituencies.
Mr Musonda also said CDF funds were created to help undertakings within constituencies to supplement the mainstreaming funding on projects in rural areas and it is prudent that councils spend such funds for intended projects than diverting to other obligations of the councils.
He added that councils should find money to buy graders and road equipment than to use CDF funds.
Expelled UPND Sinazongwe MP Richwell Siamunene has decided to challenge his expulsion in court.
The UPND recently expelled Mr. Siamunene for gross misconduct after he failed to appear before a disciplinary committee hearing.
But Mr. Siamunene said he has instructed his lawyers to apply to the courts of law to seek the court’s intervention over his expulsion.
He said through the court process, he will have an opportunity to highlight the failure of leadership in the UPND.
“I think people should know what type of a leader Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is. He bulldozes every decision in that particular organisation and even my expulsion was initiated by him and Zambians should know the type of leaders vying for public office,” Mr. Siamunene said.
He stated that the manner in which he was expelled was unconstitutional.
“Am in Sinazongwe currently and consulting with the local leadership here on my next move but I have told my lawyers to commence with the court process.”
Bible Gospel Church in Africa Presiding Bishop Peter Ndhlovu says he has no doubt that the youths that attacked people in his church yesterday were PF cadres.
Bishop Ndhlovu said he is certain that the youths belonged to the PF and that they were acting on instructions from some senior PF officials.
Recounting yesterday’s incident where members of the civil society consortium were beaten up while attending Black Friday prayers, Bishop Ndhlovu said while praying, a group of youths came in and locked the doors and windows and started beating them with sticks and Sjamboks.
He was speaking this morning when he featured on the Cross fire blog internet radio hosted in the UK.
Bishop Ndhlovu said his prayer is that whoever is behind the violence should stop before it is too late.
He said the consortium of civil society members have tried to meet President Michael Sata but that it has not been easy even after writing to his office.
Bishop Ndhlovu said the removal of subsidies on food and fuel should have been gradual.
He said Black Friday protesters asked to have a prayer meeting at his church because one does not need a permit to meet in church.
And one of the organizers of the Black Friday prayers Guess Nyirenda said the PF not to think they will be in power forever.
“They are not the first to govern this nation and they surely will not be the last. Their time is coming when they will account for these actions to the Zambian people,” Mr. Nyirenda said.
He added, “CSO leaders had been denied a permit to gather at an outdoor venue and were advised to instead pick an indoor venue and we opted for this Church.”
Mr Nyirenda said the CSO leaders will not be cowed and vowed to continue with their Friday Prayers adding that the next event will be held at Mtendere Catholic Church on Friday.
Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda has challenged Human resources practitioners in the country to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the amended labour laws are effectively enforced in their work places.
In a speech read on his behalf by Labour Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu during the official opening of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource (ZIHRM) meeting held at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone yesterday, Mr Shamenda said the human resources practitioners in the country should play an advisory role to their management to ensure that the country’s labour laws are adhered to.
Mr Shamenda observed that while government has successfully reviewed a number of statutory instruments related to labour such as the revision of the minimum wage as promised in its manifesto, the labour market in Zambia still faced a number of challenges such as poor working culture, poor conditions of service, non-compliance to labour laws among others.
The Labour minister said government expects all human resources’ practitioners in the country never to disregard labour laws but to appreciate and correctly interpret the labour laws and advise their employers accordingly.
“While the majority of employers in the country are now complying with the revised minimum wages, my ministry is disturbed by reports of some few employers who are not paying according to the statutory instruments,” said Mr Shamenda.
“ And this is where we expect the Human resources personnel to appreciate and interpret labour laws to employers to create interface between management and workers to facilitate social dialogue in order to promote harmonious industrial relations,” Mr Shamenda said.
The minister further urged the human resources personnel to assert themselves and point out wrong things at the places of work whether by their management or their workers.
“Let us not have rubber stamps human resources personnel who merely carry out instruction as directed even if such instructions are wrong and will disadvantage Zambia workers, but let us have human resource personnel who stand their ground and call a spade a spade even at the expense of losing employment,” said Mr Shamenda.
Mr Shamenda urged ZHRM to put in place mechanism to enforce the provision of the revised labour Act adding that for its part, government we will work closely with the institute to review the ZIRM
Act to strengthen the enforcement mechanism.
He also said the ZIHRM act no. 11 of 1997 was very critical in the development of the country and particularly in the improvement of productivity in all organizations in the country.
He said government would like to see that the productivity levels of Zambian workers are enhanced to match what was obtaining in other countries adding that ZHRM plays an important role in the training and development of human resources expected to meet the demands of business in the 21st Century.
“My government would like to see that the productivity level of Zambians are enhanced to match what is obtaining in other countries and as human resource personnel you must spearhead this objective through initiatives such as training and performance appraisals,” Mr Shamenda said.
He also said government banned non-Zambians from performing duties of human resources with the understanding that not only does the country have enough trained human resource personnel but also that human resource duties are better understood by Zambians who have an in-depth understanding of the local people and their cultural practices.
And ZHRM President Winner Kanyembo said the institute was facing a number of financial challenges to effectively carry out its operations such as conducting training workshops for human resources practitioners.
He explained that the institute had limited capacity to carry out inspections for compliance with the labour laws but added that the revision of the ZHRM act will help in enforcing compliance among
defaulters.
Mr Kanyembo also said ZHRM has embarked on a recruitment drive to ensure that all government human resources personnel were registered with institution as directed by the ministry of labour.
Mr Kanyembo further said the institute which currently has a total of 2,332 registered members will continue working with government to improve the labour market in the country.
A 33 year old woman has been sentenced to five years simple imprisonment after she pleaded guilty for one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Appearing before Magistrate Davy Simfukwe was Annie Chanda 33 of Molokai village in Senior chief Shimumbu in Luwingu district in the Northern province.
Facts before Magistrate Mr Simfukwe were that Annie on 28th April 2013 did injure a child aged 7 by pulling his manhood as a way to instil discipline for urinating on the reed mat.
Annie who is the step mother told the court that the child has been urinating on his reed mat every day despite having advised him to stop but failed and instead she decided to pull down his manhood so that the child stops the habit.
“I asked the juvenile why he had continued to urinate on the mat but he could not give satisfactory answer, I got hold on to his penis and twisted it with a view of stopping him from urinating,” she disclosed.
In mitigation Annie pleaded for lenience by saying she did that merely to discipline her step son from urinating.
And Magistrate Simfukwe said the convict being the first offender and having readily admitted the charge was entitled to lenience but the case committed has a minimum sentence of five years and not exceeding 10 years.
He explained that children are always vulnerable and they need to be protected at all times.
“One wonders how a person could think of pulling the manhood of defenceless child as the way of disciplining him,” he said.
Mr Simfukwe said the courts are duty bound to protect vulnerable children in society by imposing stiffer penalties to deter would be offenders like the convict.
He said although the convict was the first offender the case calls for a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and not exceeding 10 years. “The only way I can express lenience is by sentencing the convict to the minimum sentence as provided for under the law,” he said.
Annie was sentenced to five years simple imprisonment for one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 248 (a) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde gives his speech during the Zambia and Zimbabwe (ZamZim) joint World malaria day commemoration at Mukuni Park in Livingstone
Minister of Heath Joseph Kasonde has disclosed that Zambia was among many countries in the world that have embraced the World Health Organization (WHO) framework convention on tobacco control.
Dr. Kasonde said Zambia has since enacted and continue to enforce national and local smoke free measures to protect its people against exposure to conditions that were harmful to human health.
The Minister said he will submit the proposal to ban tobacco sponsorship, promotion and advertising in Zambia to cabinet.
He said this today during the commemoration of world no tobacco day celebrations in Lusaka.
He also revealed that the global statistic show that six million tobacco related deaths occur every year in the world.
Dr. Kasonde stated that out of this number, 600,000 are non smokers who are exposed to passive smoking.
He added that data from 151 countries show that about seven percent of adolescent girls smoke cigarettes as opposed to twelve percent of adolescent boys.
He also disclosed that in Zambia, 27 percent of men compared to three percent women smoked tobacco while the record also reveals that nine percent of boys in Zambia smoke compared to eight percent of girls respectively.
And World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Olusegun Babaniyi expressed sadness that tobacco related deaths have increased not only in Zambia but the rest of the world.
Dr. Babaniyi said in order to reduce tobacco related deaths, it was important that countries consider banning tobacco sponsorship, promotion and advertising.
He said although many countries were making significant strides in eradicating smoking and public smoking, there is more to be done in Zambia and other countries.
