The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has adjusted its policy rate upwards by 25 basis points to 9.5 % for June 2013 following a meeting held by the Monetary Policy Committee this year.
A monetary policy rate is a tool used for controlling inflation, determining day-to-day liquidity operations and other market rates.
BoZ has in the last two (2) months maintained the policy rate at 9.25 percent.
In a statement issued to media in Lusaka yesterday, BoZ Head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi said the committee decided to increase the policy rate to 9.5 per cent for June as a response to inflation challenges.
Mr Mayondi disclosed that the Committee anticipates upward risks to inflation during the month of June 2013, mainly arising from recent increase in the pump price of fuel, coupled with the lagged effects of the recent exchange rate depreciation.
He said the committee, however, expects inflationary pressures to be moderated by the relative stable prices of food items.
Mr Mayondi said this resulted from a positive food balance as indicated in the recent crop forecast survey results.
He explained that the committee weighed the risks and was of the opinion that inflationary pressures during the policy-relevant period would be a threat to the achievement of end-year inflation target of 6.0%.
Mr Mayondi has since revealed that the next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee to review the Bank of Zambia Policy Rate will be held at the end of June 2013.
The District AIDS Taskforce (DATF) in Kabompo district has run out of both male and female condoms for distribution to clients.
District AIDS Coordination Advisor Shoneka Shaloba confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Kabompo today
Mr Shaloba said Kabompo district AIDS Taskforce has not received condom supplies from Medical Stores since November last year.
He said the district AIDS Taskforce has however been pressing orders for supplies of 27, 000 male condoms and 3,000 female condoms from Medical Stores but there has been no response since then.
And Kabompo District Commissioner Denis Kanyakula said he will sit with the AIDS Taskforce committee to source for condoms distribution during the traditional ceremonies in the districts scheduled for this weekend.
Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police, Joyce Kasosa
The Non Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned in the strongest terms the violent attacks by Patriotic Front cadres on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that gathered today at Matero’s Bible Gospel Church in Africa for a prayer meeting. The prayer meeting was held on the removal of subsidies because of the denial by the police for the CSOs to hold a peaceful demonstration.
In a statement released to the media and signed by the chairperson Beatrice Grillo, NGOCC said that they noted with great sadness and concern that this barbaric act comes barely two weeks after a similar attack on opposition party members who were going to address a meeting in Kanyama.
“As NGOCC, we believe that every citizen has a right to freedom of assembly and as such the CSOs were justified to have a meeting. The fact that the violence took place in a church which is considered as a holy place is very unfortunate. As a women’s movement, we are wondering where people can gather and speak freely on matters that affect their livelihood and well-being. Where is democracy in Zambia? We are therefore calling upon all peace loving Zambians to condemn this barbaric act. This violent act will instill fear in the esteemed citizenry to discuss matters of national interest, ” read the statement.
“As a women’s movement, we believe that violence can never be a solution to any perceived differences but there are other peaceful and constructive means of resolving differences. The Patriotic Front Government in general and its cadres in particular should exercise maximum tolerance of divergent views and opinions as opposed to violence and intimidation which is not a solution and will only hinder development at the expense of the innocent Zambians.”
In conclusion NGOCC urged the Patriotic Front Government to publicly denounce the cadres and condemn the violent acts.
“We further call upon the Inspector General of Police and her officers to ensure that justice prevails by arresting the people who were involved in this attack, ” ended the statement.
Today , PF of youths stormed the church, beating up journalists and the organisers who included leaders of various churches.
[pullquote]The cadres armed with planks, sjamboks and other weapons entered the church in Matero Township saying they would not allow people talking ill about the PF Government.[/pullquote]
The violence erupted shortly after Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) overseer Peter Ndhlovu led the members of CSOs in praying for peace, love and unity to prevail in Zambia as well as extending prayers for President Michael Sata, his Cabinet and the citizenry at large.
The PF cadres stormed the building around 11.00 hours when CSOs representative and Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) executive director Richwell Mulwani was delivering his speech.
The cadres armed with planks, sjamboks and other weapons entered the church in Matero Township saying they would not allow people talking ill about the PF Government.
Among those either beaten or roughed up within and outside the church were camera persons from ZNBC and another believed to have come from the Office of the President (OP) as well Bishop Ndhlovu and former Church of God overseer John Mambo.
[pullquote]She said the organisers did not respond to her letter regarding their indoor venue, adding that she had only learnt that they were going to hold their meeting in Matero through the media.[/pullquote]
Others caught up in the fracas were Mr Mulwani, MMD vice-president (political) Michael Kaingu and Senanga United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament Likando Mufalali.
Operation Young Vote (OYV) executive director Guess Nyirenda, child rights activist Godfrey Simukonde and former PF member Sam Zulu were also not spared by the angry youths believed to have come in a Canter truck which they had parked meters away from the church.
The uncompromising youths were also not sparing suspicious looking individuals loitering within the church premises.
Besides injuring some of the congregants, the youths damaged equipment belonging to journalists and were seen banging on some parked vehicles.
And Lusaka province police Chief Joyce Kasosa has said that she was saddened that the meeting ended up the way it did and attributed that to failure by the organisers to inform the police that they were going to converge in Matero.
Ms Kasosa said she had written to the Black Friday organisers to settle for an indoor venue other than the outdoor location (Freedom Statute) they had earlier requested for as the former venues were easy to manage than the latter.
She said the organisers did not respond to her letter regarding their indoor venue, adding that she had only learnt that they were going to hold their meeting in Matero through the media.
Ms Kasosa said the police would have offered the necessary security had they been furnished with information on the venue of the meeting and the fracas prevented.
She said two people, whom she could not immediately mention, had formally made a complaint of assault at Matero Police and were issued with medical reports, an indication that investigations had been launched,but that no arrests were made as at 15.00 hours today.
Herve Renard has welded his axe after Zambia’s forgettable training game loss against Nkana.
Renard has ejected goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga after a modest display in the warm-up game that saw him concede two goals in a 2-1 defeat.
The Nchanga Rangers goalkeepers place has been taken up by Power Dynamos’ Joshua Titima who was suspended goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene’s deputy since the 2013 Africa Cup before falling out of favour after the Lesotho game in March.
Titima was in goals after Mweene’s 56th minute sendoff on March 24 in a 1-1 away draw to Lesotho.
The pressure is now at heated pace to find Mweene’s replacement for the June 8 return leg clash against Lesotho.
Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Davy Kaumbwa and Red arrows Daniel Munyao are the other goalkeeper in the race to be in goal for the Lesotho game.
Meanwhile, Munyao’s club mates midfielder Shadreck Malambo and defender Bronson Chama have also been dropped.
Konkola Blades coach Enos Silwimba says Sharp Razor must work extra hard to beat struggling Ndola Lime Hotspurs in Saturday’s FAZ Super Division Week 11 match at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Silwimba predicted a tough match against Lime, who are placed second from the bottom of table with five points in 10 matches.
Blades have endured a three game winless streak.
“We have to collect three points; we have to work extra hard so that we can pick three points,” he said.
Silwimba added: “Lime are playing good football, they have improved so
it won’t be easy.”
And Lime coach Mathews Ndhlovu has rated the match against Blades as 50-50.
“It will be a 50-50 affair because we also want to be collecting points. We will do our best,” he said.
Lime warmed-up for Blades with a 3-1 win over FAZ Division One North leaders Kitwe United in a friendly at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe on Thursday.
Super Division Week 11 Fixtures Saturday
Napsa Stars-Nchanga Rangers
Roan United-Forest Rangers
Kabwe Warriors-Zanaco
Red Arrows-Kalulushi Modern Stars
Nkwazi-Nkana
Power Dynamos-Green Buffaloes
Konkola Blades-Lime Hotspurs
Zesco United-Konkola Mine Police
Nkana coach Masautso Mwale says the FAZ Super Division leaders are targeting a positive result as they take on Nkwazi away at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.
Kalampa, who are sitting on 23 points take on fourth placed Nkwazi in the Week 11 encounter hoping to recover from last weekend’s goalless draw against Kabwe Warriors in Kitwe.
Mwale said Kalampa must treat the game against Nkwazi seriously.
“I think we are set for that game, we dropped some points here so we have to take the Nkwazi game seriously.
“Nkwazi are playing well so we need to up our game and take it seriously. The match will be exciting,” he said.
Nkwazi are on 16 points after recording five wins, a draw and four losses and are parading leading scorer Steward Chikandiwa who has seven goals in 10 matches.
File:PF militia…a PF youth wielding a dangerous weapon goes for UPND cadres during the Kabwata violence
A group of people this morning stormed the BIGOCA Church in Lusaka’s Matero township and beat up worshipers who had gathered to participate in the ‘Black Friday’ Prayers over the removal of Fuel Subsidies.It is alleged that the group was armed with pangas, axes and hoe-handles.The alleged PF youths arrived in hired buses at BIGOCA and closed the doors and windows of the church building and started beating people indiscriminately.
Among the notables present were Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) vice president in charge of political affairs Michael Kaingu, Bishop John Mambo, Emily Sikazwe and Andrew Ntewewe.Bishop Mambo, a stern critic of President Michael Sata and his policies, was among those who were beaten.Andrew Ntewere was also beaten.
Journalists who were caught up in the fracas were not spared as a Zambia News and Information Service cameraman was brutality beaten.
11 CSO’s had planned to hold a rally at the Freedom Statue but Police denied them a permit to do so,the conveners then opted for an indoor meeting which included the prayer meeting this morning.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba talking to Falecia Marie Knaul the Auther of Beauty without the Breast this during a Patrons lunch at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 28-05-2013 – Picture by ANGELA MWENDA
2.
First Lady Dr.Kaseba in Malaysia
3..
Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Taundi Chiseke shake hands with Sister In charge at Mangango mission Hospital Sister Prisca Mutenga shortly after receiving 20 blankets he donated in children’s ward at Mangango mission hospital during his familiazation tour in Kaoma District
4..
Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Taundi Chiseke spreads a blanket he donated to the children’s ward at Mangango mission hospital during his familiazation tour in Kaoma District
5..
Her Royal Highness Senior Chieftains Nkomeshya Mukamambo II (left) supporting her 8 year grand daughter,Elizabeth Nkomeshya being injected the Human Papillomavirus vaccine which is used to prevent cervical cancer in women and girls.This was during the launch of the vaccination programme in Chongwe district by community development,mother and child health minister,Joseph katema.(not in picture)
6.
Belgravia Services Limited Project manager CollinsKipkorir ( l ) with Muchinga Minister Col. Gerry Chanda ( r ) touring the multi million fuel reseves under construction in Mpika . The project is set to be completed and handed over to the Government in July this year.
7.
Ireland Ambassador to Zambia Finbar O’brian is on a 7-day tour of Muchinga Province checking on projects and programmes being supported by his Government. In the picture, Ambassador O’brien talking to Muchinga Province Minister Colonel Gerry Chanda outside the District Commissioner’s Office in Mpika
8.
Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Taundi Chiseke addressing a rally that welcomed him as new deputy minister of chiefs and traditional affairs at Mangango High School grounds during his familiazation tour in Kaoma District
9.
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) miners during a solidarity demonstration at Katilungu House in Kitwe
10.
ZAMBIA Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) Secretary General Joyce Nonde-Simukoko talks to Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda(right) and ZCTU Secretary General Roy Mwaba (middle) during the ministers tour of the ZUFIAW Training Institute in Lusaka
11.
Mkushi DC Christopher Chibuye(second from right) looks at a inspecting Conservation farming exhibit at Ilume Block Show.
12.
VICE-President Guy Scott and Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe being welcomed by the Ministers’ Spouses Club members at the Maamba Collieries Limited medical camp recently
13.
VICE-President Guy Scott’s wife, Charlotte cutting the ribbon to signify the launch of the Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) medical camp. On her far right is MCL’s resident director Ashwin Devineni
14.
MTN CEO Abdul Ismail handing over a cheque of KR 1, 479,000 to FAZ General Secretary Sam Phiri at MTN head office on thursday, May 30, 2013
15.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (middle) and his supporters outside Livingstone Magistrates Court
16.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (middle) and his supporters outside Livingstone Magistrates Court
17.
SOUTH African pop sensation Zahara last Sunday took Kitwe by storm when she performed live at Mist Gardens
18.
SOUTH African pop sensation Zahara last Sunday took Kitwe by storm when she performed live at Mist Gardens
19.
SOUTH African pop sensation Zahara last Sunday took Kitwe by storm when she performed live at Mist Gardens
20.
Fans watch Zahara performing at Mist Gardens in Kitwe
21.
Livingstone City Council Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Sikanyika (left) and Council Public Relations Officer Carolyn Simuumba (right) display some cosmetics seized from Spar and two Shoprite outlets on Tuesday
22.
Livingstone City Council Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Sikanyika (left) and Council Public Relations Officer Carolyn Simuumba (right) display some cosmetics seized from Spar and two Shoprite outlets on Tuesday
Opposition FDD leader Edith Nawakwi says Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda must be bold and admit that his first PF national budget has burst.
Ms Nawakwi said Mr. Chikwanda must go back to Parliament and present a fresh mini budget and admit that his budget has collapsed mid-way through the financial year.
She said the removal of subsidies on fuel and food was a sinister move aimed at raising additional funds outside the national budget.
“What we have here is a situation where my elder brother at Finance has burst his budget and he has to look elsewhere for additional financing mostly to finance programme that were unbudgeted for such as new districts and bye elections,” Ms. Nawakwi said.
Mrs. Nawakwi observed that the removal of subsidies will send many Zambian families into poverty.
“People will not eat GDP, people want affordable food. You cannot postpone your hunger because somebody wants to build roads and bridges.”
She said no amount of positive publicity or propaganda on subsidy removal will change the public’s rejection of the move.
“They are sending Ministers and their Deputies to explain the alleged benefits of the subsidy removal. You know, what is good is good and what is bad is bad. You don’t need all those Ministers to go and tell the people what is good about this subsidy removal.”
The FDD leader also criticized comments by US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella who supported the removal of subsidies.
“I find it insincere for the American Ambassador to support this issue when the US is well known for subsidizing its agriculture with heavy subsidies. This move will affect the poor the most,”
Mrs. Nawakwi was speaking yesterday morning when she featured on a live Burning Issue radio programme on 5 FM Radio.
Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) unionized workers have ended their two week-long work protest and have agreed to resume work with immediate effect.
Management had taken over the movement of the trains during this period the workers have been protesting.
The unionized workers from new Kapiri Mposhi to Nakonde TAZARA Railway Station have been protesting since last week to press for the immediate payment of their April and May salaries.
The decision to end the work protest was arrived at yesterday during a consultative meeting between government, management and the union leaders held at TAZARA regional headquarters in Mpika.
The meeting that was attended by Workers Union of Tanzania and Zambia (WUTAZ) leaders and senior managers was chaired by Muchinga Minister Gerry Chanda.
Also in attendance were Mpika district commissioner Moses Katebe and his administrative officer Mumbi Kaweme, among others.
The workers have agreed to resume work as management makes arrangements to pay them their May salaries.
It has been agreed that May salaries be paid by June 7 while the April salaries will be paid later and during this time, all the workers should return to work.
Addressing both management and union leaders in the board room after a closed door meeting with the union leaders, Colonel Gerry Chanda said both parties should ensure that they remain committed to what has been agreed upon.
Colonel Chanda said he will personally get involved to see to it that normal operations resume immediately and that the government is committed to ensuring that the railway company starts operating at full capacity.
And WUTAZ General Secretary Josam Nkhoma assured the minister and management that the unionized workers will resume work with immediate effect.
Mr. Nkhoma however, cautioned management to ensure that it honours its promise to pay the workers their May salary by June 7 while the April salary should also be paid soon.
Earlier TAZARA regional manager Patrick Shangala told the minister that the railway company was committed to paying the workers their salaries but that the process has been delayed due to inadequate funds.
Mr. Shangala said it was unfortunate that workers decided to stage a work protest at the time the company was making improvements in its operations.
He said that currently TAZARA in conjunction with Zambia Railways Limited is moving copper right from Kitwe and Chingola to the port of Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania saying this arrangement will go a long way in boosting the operations of the company hence the need not to disrupt the movement of the trains.
TAZARA has transported more than 15,700 metric tonnes of Copper to the port of Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania on behalf of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Impala Warehousing and Logistics (Impala) since the beginning of April 2013.
Records indicate that TAZARA has moved a total of 39,068 metric tonnes of freight between April and May 2013, of which 40 percent (15,733) is Copper and the rest includes other commodities such as maize and fertilisers among others.
In March 2013, TAZARA, ZRL and SNCC, the three railways companies operating in Tanzania, Zambia and Congo DR, jointly signed a tripartite agreement to harmonize operations.
This was meant to facilitate smooth and seamless transportation of goods and passengers by rail amongst the three railway organizations and the respective countries.
The tripartite signing ceremony followed three earlier independent business agreements entered into between the respective parties, TAZARA and SNCC, TAZARA and ZRL as well as ZRL and SNCC.
Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has clarified that the new retirement age of 65 years that was recently approved by Cabinet has not yet come into effect.
Dr. Msiska says the decision by Cabinet is the first step in the process of reforming the pension system in the country.
He said following the proposed change to the retirement age from 55 to 65 years, government will have to table a Bill in Parliament for further debate.
Dr. Msiska explained that once Parliament passes the new law on retirement age it will then be sent to the President for assent.
He said it is only after presidential assent that the new law will be implemented.
The Secretary to the Cabinet was speaking in Mporokoso yesterday when he addressed civil servants in the district.
Dr. Msiska urged Zambians to debate the matter and offer their views on the proposed new retirement age.
Meanwhile, Dr. Msiska has advised labour leaders in the country to intensify sensitization campaigns on the collective agreement signed between government and trade unions on the new conditions of service for public service workers.
He said it is saddening to note that many workers especially in rural parts of the country do not fully understand the new conditions of service offered to them by government.
Dr. Msiska said government expects union leaders to be in the forefront of explaining the new conditions of service to their members so that industrial harmony continues to prevail in the country.
Recently, government and the labour movement signed a new collective agreement on conditions of service for public service workers in the country effective September this year.
And the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) says it has received Cabinet’s decision to increase the retirement age from 55 to 65-years with shock.
Speaking to QFM News, ZFE Executive Director Harrington Chibanda says it is sad that the views expressed by the labour movement on the issue earlier have not been considered.
Mr. Chipanda says the Zambia Federation of Employers together with the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) was against the idea of increasing the retirement because government failed to come up with convincing reasons for doing so.
He notes that the matter is in the technical report of the constitution making process and was supposed to be discussed by Zambians so that they agree whether the retirement age should be increased or not.
Mr. Chibanda says government’s decision to increase the retirement age without the issue being conclusively debated by the Zambian people lives one wondering whose interest government is serving.
He adds that government should have waited for the consultative process by the labour movement who represent the interest of the workers, and had initially opposed the increase in the retirement age.
Mr. Chibanda points out that an employee is more productive below the age of fifty five, stating that issue of health start coming in above that age which may make them not to be so effective in carrying out their responsibilities.
He says he is aware that government is looking at the whole issue from the angle of delaying the payment of pension benefits so that the money still remains in the economy in the pension schemes.
Mr Chibanda has further stressed that the implications are so many hence government should have left it to the people themselves to decide.
He since urged government to consult stakeholders on critical issues.
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia has successfully concluded negotiations for the 2013 conditions of service for its unionized staff, increasing salaries by KR900 across the board.
According to a statement emailed to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, the bank this year undertook a review of the conditions of service for unionized staff which culminated in an agreement to increase salaries for unionized staff from last year’s increase of KR750.
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Acting Managing Director Kelvin Musana says staff and customers remain a top priority for the bank.
Mr Musana said the bank has a good working partnership with the Union Executive whom it relies on to encourage staff to have a change in mindset.
Mr Musana said the bank remains focussed on making a difference in the communities it operates in and had for this reason in 2012 engaged the union to roll out extended hours in its branches.
The Acting Managing Director said there was need for his bank to position itself for future growth in order to continue to compete effectively.
And commenting during the signing ceremony, Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Head of Human Resource Ruth Simuyemba said the over 700 staff across 24 outlets in Zambia are the bank’s biggest asset.
Ms Simuyemba said the growth that the bank achieved last year was testimony of the quality of staff and their professional and hardworking conduct.
She said the bank is committed to continue reviewing conditions of service for both management and union staff.
Ms Simuyemba added that the signing agreement shows the bank’s commitment to its brand promise of “We are Here for Progress, Here for People and Here for Good.”
Meanwhile, Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) Secretary General Joyce Nonde-Simukoko commended Standard Chartered bank for closing the negotiations when other banks are yet to.
Ms Simukoko said this shows the hard work and commitment by the negotiating committee.
Ms Simukoko has since encouraged bank staff to change their mindset towards work saying bank workers need to enhance their skills in order to achieve more.
She called on the bank’s workers to utilise ZUFIAW’s newly opened Skill Development Training Centre where they will be trained in different aspects of their careers.
New Energy, mines and water development Minister Christopher Yaluma says he will ensure that there is no more loadsheding by the power utility company ZESCO.
Mr. Yaluma who has been moved to the energy ministry from the ministry of works,supply,transport and communication says his transfer is more than a plus because he understands the all sectors in his ministry well.
He says he will ensure that all departments that fall under his ministry begin to operate to the expectations of the people of Zambia.
He says having been minister for the same ministry before gives him great confidence to even work harder without disappointing the appointing authority.
Mr. Yaluma has since assured the nation that he will ensure that ZESCO reduces on unnecessary loadsheding of power.
