Struggling FAZ Super Division side Lime Hotspurs coach Mathews Ndhlovu is confident that his team will survive demotion.
Lime are second from the bottom of the table with five points in 10 matches.
In an interview, Ndhlovu declared that Lime were in the Super Division to stay.
“Being second from the bottom does not mean the league is over. If we can pick 15 points in the next five games we will be in the top six.
“We will do our best, we are here to stay in the Super League. Despite the bad start we are patching up areas of concern,” he said.
Lime travels to Chililabombwe on Saturday to face 8th placed Konkola Blades at Konkola Stadium.
Meanwhile, Lime warmed up for Blades with a 3-1 win over Kitwe United in a friendly at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe on Thursday.
The Ndola side came from behind to silence the FAZ Division One North leaders after scoring three second half goals.
The Oasis Forum has announced plans to come up with a private members bill to present to Parliament with the intention of protecting the current constitution making process and the contents of the new constitution.
This follows a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting to review the legislative framework of the current constitution-making process in anticipation of the forthcoming final draft Constitution.
The multi-stakeholder consultative meeting that was held this morning drew participants from the Law Association of Zambia, the Council of Churches in Zambia, the Zambia Episcopal Conference and the Non-Governmental Organization Coordinating Council among others.
Oasis Forum Spokesperson Cleophas Lungu has also disclosed during a media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon that the OASIS Forum has also resolved to explore all legal options to ensure that the current constitutional making process is successful.
Fr. Lungu who is also Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Secretary General has further told journalists that the OASIS Forum has further resolved to ensure that the content of the final draft Constitution meets the basic minimum requirements of an ideal constitution as expressed by the people in the country.
Fr. Lungu has also reiterated the need for the Patriotic Front government to immediately appoint a referendum commission and provide in the 2014 National Budget funds for the national referendum.
Fr. Lungu says the OASIS Forum further suggests that the PF government ensures that the entire final Constitution be subjected to a referendum on the basis of a “yes” or a “no” vote.
He further adds that the OASIS Forum is also of the view that once the draft Constitution has been subjected to a vote and accepted by the people during the referendum, it should be enacted by Parliament without any debate.
The OASIS Forum has since affirmed its stance to continue advocating for the enactment of a constitution that represents the interests and aspirations of all the people in Zambia.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga
Mines Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has said that government was capable of taking over the operations of Konkola Copper Mines(KCM) if Vendetta Resources limited failed to run the mine. Mr. Mukanga was reacting to sentiments from the Chamber of Mines of Zambia that has insisted that the planned job cuts at KCM are in the interest of the mining conglomerate.
The Minister wondered why KCM plannned to lay off 2000 miners when other mining firms were employing more miners. The Mines minister said this in an interview in Kitwe at the ongoing Copperblet, Mining and Agriculture show.
But chamber of Mines General Manager Frederick Bantubonse insisted that issues at KCM are internal and are in the best interest of KCM operations. Mr. Bantubonse said that government should seriously examine the reasons why it privatized the mines 20 years ago before discussing any issues regarding KCM.
Mr. Bantubonse felt that mining companies are running better in private hands which was not the case when government was running the mines which saw production drop from 750 thousand tons annually to 250 thousand tones per annum.
He has insisted that the creation of new jobs in other mining companies should not be compared to KCM because different mines have different operational challenges and production costs.
KCM last Friday announced its intentions to retrench two thousand workers, a move that government has opposed.
Zambia’s annual inflation rate for May has increased by 0.5 percent. The inflation rate now stands at 7 percent from last month’s 6.5 percent.
Central Statistical Office -CSO- Acting Director Goodson Sinyenga has attributed the increase to an increase in the prices of non food and some food items.
Mr. Sinyenga has told a media briefing today that food products accounted for 3.3 percent while non food products accounted for 3.7percent.
He has stated that the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel is expected to further lead to a rise in inflation as producers of commodities are likely to pass on the extra costs onto consumers.
Meanwhile, April has so far recorded the highest trade surplus so far this year currently standing at 3-hundred and 29 point 5 million kwacha rebased up from 3-hundred and 7 point 2million kwacha rebased in March.
Mr. Sinyenga says this means that the country exported more than it imported in April 2013.
And Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Stanbic Bank that will see over 3 -hundred local contractors take part in the on going road construction projetcs.
Under the Agreement the contractors will be able to acquire equipment using the Banks’s Vehicle and Asset Finance System through partners and suppliers.
The Agreement was signed between the National Road Fund Agency, The Road Development Agency and Stanbic Bank.
And speaking during the signing ceremony, Transport Minister Christopher Yaluma says the MoU marks the beginning of a consultative process which will see more local players participate favourably in the construction sector.
Mr. Yaluma has commended Stanbic bank for joining forces with road sector agencies in availing adequate and affordable credit lines to contractors and equipment suppliers through the agreement.
And Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Dennis Kennedy says local contractors through the agreement will be able to acquire equipment using the existing vehicle asset finance through partners and suppliers.
At the same occasion, Road Development Agency Board Chairperson Willie Nsanda called on local engineers to work harder to ensure better quality road works.
Senior Chief Nzamane of the Ngoni speaking people of Chipata district has advised Zambians not to take the removal of fuel and maize subsidies as a human rights issue.
Chief Nzamane says despite the decision by government to remove subsidies on the two important sectors of the economy there is need for Zambians to accept the decisions and adopt to the changes.
The traditional leader told ZANIS in an interview in Chipata today that the debate on subsidies should be handled with care by both government and the citizens.
He explained that government will continue taking bold steps aimed at saving national resources in order to have a stable economy.
Senior Chief Nzamane however noted that the decision by government was not done at a right time especially that the agriculture sector is likely to be affected by the reduction in the crop harvest.
He said government would have consulted relevant authorities for them to carryout sensitizations for people to fully understand the rationale behind the decision to remove the subsidies before implementing it.
He cited the subsidy on maize that it was a well known fact when the programme of Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) that it was going to end as it was meant to help vulnerable farmers with start up packs just for a period of time.
Senior Chief Nzamane stated that it was for this reason that people needed to be reminded that the programme was meant for farmers to graduate and stand on their own.
He added that the abrupt action will affect the small scale farmers who did not prepare for the change.
Meanwhile, the traditional leader has cautioned his subjects against selling all their produce without storing some for consumption.
He noted that the subjects should instead adopt the new metal silo technology to enhance the storage of crops.
He explained that many farmers in his chiefdom were forced to sell all their produce due to lack of proper storage facilities.
Senior Chief Nzamane added that this was why the new metal silo project introduced by the Effective Grain Storage for Better Livelihoods of African Farmers would go a long way in addressing the post harvest losses being experienced.
Four people have died in separate road accidents in Mkushi in the central province and Chingola on the Copperbelt.
Zambia Police Service deputy spokesperson Charity Chanda has confirmed both accidents in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Ms Chanda said the Mkushi accident happened yesterday on May 29, 2013 around 15:30 hours at Nklonga area, 18 kilo meters east of Mkushi Boma along the Great North road.
In the Mkushi accident , Ms Chanda said two people died on the spot while four others sustained serious injuries .
She said this happened when a Toyota Corolla they were travelling in collided with a Nissan Hard body belonging to the Ministry of Health on the Great North road.
Ms Chanda said the Toyota Corolla registration number ACT 3821 collided with a Nissan Hard body registration number ALF 7802.
Ms Chanda one of the deceased has only been identified as Silungwe, a male aged 44 years while the other victim has not yet been identified.
She said among those injured was the driver of the Hard body Jack Mabona, a Doctor Wamulume aged 47, and another female victim only identified as Pauline all of Lusaka.
The driver of the Toyota Corolla, Benson Nchema of Mkushi was also injured in the accident.
Ms Chanda stated that the accident happened when the driver of the Nissan Hard body coming from Serenje to Lusaka failed to keep to his lane and in the process collided with the on-coming Toyota Corolla.
Ms Chanda said the injured are admitted to Mkushi district hospital while the bodies of the deceased are lying in the mortuary of the same hospital.
And in a related development, another accident has left two people dead and two others injured when a Toyota Corolla registration number ACL 1204 careered off the road due to over speeding.
Ms Chanda said the vehicle was being driven by Kennedy Kamocha.
She said the deceased have been identified as Maria Mwenda, 25, and Mutale Mutambo, 24, while the injured are Kennedy Kamocha aged 36 and James Banda 19, all of Chingola.
She disclosed that the accident happened yesterday around mid-night along the Chililabombwe road near Kakoso stream.
Ms Chanda said the injured are admitted to Nchanga North Hospital while the bodies of the deceased are lying in Kakoso hospital mortuary in Chililabombwe.
Government says labour based technologies are cardinal in creating employment for the unemployed youths. Speaking during the official opening of a two days workshop on the mainstreaming of labour based technologies in Zambia, Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Deputy Minister Mwimba Malama said labour based technologies has the potential to spur employment creation in the construction sector.
Mr Malama said infrastructure development is key in addressing the challenges of mass employment through the use of labour based technologies.
He explained to the delegates that long time ago Zambia was using the labour based technologies in the construction sector which helped to create employment before switching to Mechanised technology.
He complained that Mechanised technology does not provide employment opportunities for the masses.
However Mr Malama admitted that Mechanised technology is quicker when executing projects this is despite the technology not creating adequate employment.
He stressed that labour based technologies should be encouraged as this will help to mitigate youth unemployment in the country.
The workshop attracted provincial Permanent Secretaries, Members of Parliament and Contractors.
Meanwhile National Council for Construction (NCC) Vice Chairman Phesto Musonda saluted government for gracing the official opening of the two days workshop.
Acting Republican President Edgar Lungu says by-elections are inevitable because they are provided for in the current constitution.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Lungu said the current constitution provides that whenever there are expulsions, resignations, and deaths by Members of Parliament by-elections should be held.
“Section 67 of the current constitution provides that when a vacancy occurs in the seat of the National Assembly as a result of the death, expulsion or resignation by a Member of Parliament, a by-election shall be held within ninety days,” Mr Lungu explained .
The Acting President has since implored all Zambians and stakeholders involved in the constitution making process to excel by coming up with a constitution that will stand the test of time and not become a drain on national resources.
And Mr Lungu who is also Home Affairs Minister has refuted claims by opposition parties that by-elections are being induced by the Patriotic Front –PF government.
Mr Lungu condemned political parties blaming the PF government for the by-elections saying they should instead have themselves to blame and that they should put their parties in order.
He reiterated that speculations suggesting that the PF government is to blame for hosting by-elections in the country are not only misleading but also unfair because MPs are being compelled to resign from their parties due to intimidation and bullying within their parties.
The Acting President made the comment following the expulsion of Sinazongwe UPND Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene from his political party.
Meanwhile, the Acting President has welcomed the move by Mopani Copper Mines –MCM to create about 3,000 jobs saying this is in line with the PF Manifesto.
Mr Lungu called on the labour movement and all stakeholders to collaborate with investors to ensure that Zambian was not the first casualty whenever investors faced challenges as a way of reducing their costs of production.
On May 28th, 2013 during a Q&A session at the University of New South Wales, Bill Gates, co-Founder of Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, made some shocking and inappropriate ad-hominem attacks against me and my book Dead Aid.
In this video excerpt, Mr. Gates answers a question about Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There is A Better Way for Africa by claiming that I “didn’t know much about aid and what it was doing” and that my work is “promoting evil”.
I find it disappointing that Mr. Gates would not only conflate my arguments about structural aid with those about emergency or NGO aid, but also that he would then use this gross misrepresentation of my work to publicly attack my knowledge, background, and value system.
I would like to take this opportunity to address both of Mr. Gates’ claims here:
1. I wrote Dead Aid to contribute to a useful debate on why, over many decades, multi billions of dollars of aid has consistently failed to deliver sustainable economic growth and meaningfully reduce poverty. I also sought to explicitly explain how decades of government to government aid actually undermined economic growth and contributed to worsening living conditions across Africa. More than this, I clearly detailed better ways for African leaders, and governments across the world, to finance economic development. I have been under the impression that Mr. Gates and I want the same thing – for the livelihood of Africans to be meaningfully improved in a sustainable way. Thus, I have always thought there is significant scope for a mature debate about the efficacy and limitations of aid. To say that my book “promotes evil” or to allude to my corrupt value system is both inappropriate and disrespectful.
2. Mr. Gates’ claim that I “didn’t know much about aid and what it was doing” is also unfortunate. I have dedicated many years to economic study up to the PhD level, to analyze and understand the inherent weaknesses of aid, and why aid policies have consistently failed to deliver on economic growth and poverty alleviation. To this, I add my experience working as a consultant at the World Bank, and being born and raised in Zambia, one of the poorest aid-recipients in the world. This first-hand knowledge and experience has highlighted for me the legacy of failures of aid, and provided me with a unique understanding of not only the failures of the aid system but also of the tools for what could bring African economic success.
To cast aside the arguments I raised in Dead Aid at a time when we have witnessed the transformative economic success of countries like China, Brazil and India, belittles my experiences, and those of hundreds of millions of Africans, and others around the world who suffer the consequences of the aid system every day.
In conclusion, I am disappointed that Mr. Gates would choose the route of personal attacks rather than a logical counter argument about the role of aid in modern Africa. Such attacks add no value in the important discussions on the challenges the world faces to deliver economic growth, eradicate poverty, combat disease, and reduce income inequality, to name a few.
As I have always maintained, I respect the views of others and am open to having logical and meaningful debates with the ultimate goal of finding sustainable solutions to Africa’s economic problems.
Thank you,
Delegates at Southern Province Constitution Convention in Livingstone
The Technical Committee Drafting the Country’s Constitution has said that experts drafting the final document will need a minimum of not less than two months to complete the drafting exercise.
This means additional month to the earlier June 30th deadline that the Technical committee had indicated as the deadline for submission of the final document to government.
Spokesperson of the Technical committee Ernest Mwansa noted that forcing the team drafting the constitution to stick to the June 30th deadline as earlier indicated may undermine the outcome of the entire exercise.
Mr. Mwansa has also disclosed that the technical committee has already finished going through all resolutions from the national convention and that the draft persons have also started the actual drafting of the constitution.
And Government has said that it may consider extending the deadline for the submission of the final draft constitution by the Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution.
This follows revelations that the Technical Committee still has a long way to go before it can complete the drafting of the new constitution.
Justice Deputy Minister, Ngosa Simbyakula has disclosed in an interview that the Technical Committee last week sent a letter to his Ministry requesting an extension of the time in which to hand in the final draft constitution as well as allocation of more funds.
Dr. Simbyakula however notes that his Ministry through the Minister of justice is yet to table the letter before cabinet
Aerial view of the new Lusaka Stadium under-construction
DEPUTY Minister of Sport Stephen Masumba is not happy with the plastic canopy that has been fitted at the stadium under construction in Lusaka. Masumba, who toured the facility yesterday, said the Patriotic Front government believes in quality.
But clerk of works at the stadium Francis Mundanya said the canopy has a guarantee of 20 to 30 years.
“I decided to come and see things for myself because I do not believe in hearsay. From my thinking, I thought the plastic covers will be replaced, but to my surprise, I have been informed that this is the final touch. It is very sad that we are accepting something that will not last, and it is because of such shoddy works that the netball and tennis courts at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) have cracks, barely six months after construction,” Masumba said.
He called on the local engineers attached at the stadium to engage their Chinese counterparts before certain decisions are made. Masumba, however, commended SCG on the progress made on the stadium.
He said it is gratifying that most of the interior works have been completed.
And Mundanya said 82 percent of the work has been done. He said the contractor is now working on the exterior. The task includes levelling of the surrounding car parking facilities and the access roads. This will be done in conjunction with the Road Development Agency.
Mundanya has also called on Government through the Ministry of Sport and Youth to help reinforce security at the stadium. He said construction material is being stolen daily. He said six police officers, who operate in shifts of two, are inadequate.
Meanwhile, SCG regional representative Michael Ray said they are waiting for Government to name the stadium before they start fitting seats. Ray said construction is likely to be completed in December this year.
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito will study the merits and demerits of a request by former President Rupiah Banda to travel for a meeting in Johannesburg before making a decision to allow him to travel or not.
Mr Nchito, who was speaking in a telephone interview yesterday, said he could not discuss the trip in detail because he is on duty outside Zambia.
I am not in the country right now but I will deal with this issue (Mr Bandas trip) when I return, Mr Nchito said. I have to study it first.
On Wednesday, acting President Edgar Lungu said, in addition to his office (Ministry of Home Affairs) sanctioning or rejecting Mr Bandas request, the former President would need clearance from the DPP.
Mr Lungu said the DPP, who is key in making a decision on whether to allow Mr Banda to travel or not, had not been informed of Mr Bandas intention to travel to South Africa.
The acting President has, however, described Mr Banda as a flight risk who is unlikely to return and face trial if he is allowed to travel abroad, the way his son Henry who is currently in South Africa has done.
Mr Lungu said once Mr Banda makes a case to travel, his office would examine it impartially and judge it on its merit, given the gravity of the criminal charges he faces in court.
Mr Banda is facing trial on allegations that he abused his office while in power after Parliament stripped him of his immunity in March.
The University of Zambia students Union have rejected government’s pronouncement to pay for all the damage that was caused during the 17 May black Friday demonstration.
UNZASU Secretary General Mwauluka Sishekanu indicates that Zambia Police should bear the cost of paying for the damage caused because the students were on the receiving end of the violence.
Sishekanu defends the students’ 17 May actions noting that the demonstration was peaceful but was turned aggressive by the Police.
On Monday Acting Republican President Edgar Lungu stated that costs will be recovered through student’s bursaries or any other means available, in addition to prosecution
Mr Lungu, who is Home Affairs Minister said if students involved were not singularly identifiable, the whole bodymass of students would be subjected to contributions toward the recoveries.
“In this vein, students will from today and onwards take responsibility for all damaged University or College properly as well as private property by recovering from them costs of all such damaged property through their bursaries or any other means available in addition to prosecution,”
He said Government’s desire was to inculcate a culture of adherence to law and order by engaging it through dialoguing on contentious matters in a way that never endangered lives of people or property.
He said the behaviour by students to resort to riotous actions as a way of expressing their grievances was not correct at the expense of destroying property belonging to innocent Zambians.
He advised UNZA and other students to find amicable ways of resolving issues on which they were aggrieved by organising forums and invite Government to explain pressing matters unlike resorting to riotous behaviours.
He said Government was further open to discuss matters and has since appealed to students to design forums with concerned stakeholders on issues such as removal of subsidies.
Mr Lungu said the decision was arrived at by Cabinet at its sitting held on May 20, 2013 but was made public on Monday to put Government’s position in view of growing trend by students to take to the streets each time they were aggrieved.
WESTERN Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba has given Mongu Trades Training Institute management seven days to account for over K1.2 billion ( KR1.2m) that has been misappropriated at the learning institution.
In a letter addressed to Mongu Trades Training Institute Principal Elvis Mooto dated 24th May 2013, Mr Mwamba expressed deep concern that management was abusing resources in a flagrant manner and the internal audit he had commissioned had revealed glaring financial irregularities.
In a press release yesterday, the permanent secretary disclosed that he had instituted the audit to verify numerous reports of alleged abuse of public resources by management and was saddened that the report had established wide scale abuse of resources by the management.
He said the internal audit report commissioned revealed that Mongu Trades Training Institute management made payments amounting to K833, 197,692.00 which were not supported by any relevant documents such as local purchase orders, invoices, cash receipts or authority contrary to Financial Regulations number 45 and 52.
“Management made payments amounting to K112, 452,558.00 without any disposal details such as vouchers, stores ledger and goods received vouchers.
The Audit Report also revealed that management regularly flouted tender procedures, made numerous irregular payments and failed to account for imprest,”he said.
Mr Mwamba said the institution received over K3 Billion (KR 3 million) in 2012- 2013.
“Its sources of income came from Government grants, fees from student, hiring of the college hall and bursaries from Government. The Institute provides technical, vocational and entrepreneurship education, “he said.
And Mr Mwamba stated that the institute was vital to Government policies and programmes of preparing and providing life and entrepreneurial skills to young people.
He said he was therefore saddened that management was abusing the meagre resources intended to for this purpose.
He warned that that if management’s audit responses were not satisfactory, he would hand over the matter to police for immediate criminal investigations.
LIVINGSTONE City Council (LCC) health inspectors have seized unlabeled and expired cosmetics as well as food products from Spar and two Shoprite outlets in Zambia’s tourist capital.
According to the Food and Drugs Act cap 303 of the laws of Zambia, it is an offence for anyone to sell unlabelled and expired products.
LCC Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Sikanyika said the Council health inspectors swung into action after they noticed that the chain stores were selling some imperfect products.
Speaking in an interview in Livingstone on Tuesday, Mr Sikanyika warned the business houses that the Council would condone such practices especially that the city is preparing to co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in August this year.
“As a routine programme, our health inspectors conducted a seizure of cosmetics and food products in Spar and two Shoprite outlets in Livingstone.
“Some products were leaking and had no expiry dates while others had broken seals and insufficient labeling. Further, some products were defectively packaged and expired which contravene with the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303,” Mr Sikanyika said.
He urged consumers to always check for labels and expiry dates on all foodstuffs and cosmetics as some products may harm their bodies in the long term if consumed wrongly.
“You may apply these lotions today on your body but over time you may have effects such as your skins peeling off because of not checking for labels.
“We are not going to treat some of these stores as sacred cows whether one is a big trader or a small trader. We want uniformity as far as enforcing the law is concerned,” he said.
He also urged the business community to ensure that they were not driven by blind pursuits for profits.
In April this year, the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) seized bottled water as well as flavoured drinks and electrical appliances in Livingstone which did not meet the required standards to be traded on the market.
Further, the National Standards body issued seizure notices on the supply of water brands known as Jole D’la Vie (translated as joy of life) as the product is not licensed.
ZABS director Manuel Mutale, who led a team of inspectors in Livingstone on a surveillance mission, said his organisation wanted to support the efforts of the Government to prepare for the August 2013 UNWTO General Assembly in the tourist capital.
