Advertisement Banner
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Advertisement Banner
Home Blog Page 4497

Government welcomes Barotseland drop of secession calls

68
Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni (l) and his colleague for Justice Sebastian Zulu take to the dance floor during the International Women's Day march past
File: Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni (l) and his colleague for Justice Sebastian Zulu take to the dance floor during the International Women's Day march past

Government has welcomed the decision by the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to drop secession calls and engage in dialogue on issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.

Home Affairs Minister, Kennedy Sakeni says the development is a big relief not only to government but to all peace loving Zambians.

Mr. Sakeni told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today that government is happy with the development and commended the BRE for taking the stance.

He said the stance has been taken in the spirit of reconciliation and give and take which he said will promote peace and co-existence.

Mr. Sakeni noted that being confrontation would have resulted in the breakdown of communication between the two parties adding that this would have also led to lawlessness in the country.

The Minister has also commended the Ngambela, Clement Sinyinda, who he said is a good politician interested in peace.

Mr. Sakeni has since called for the use of dialogue in resolving contentious issues which he said will help in maintaining peace in the country.

He said it is the duty of all Zambians to help maintain the peace and stability the country has enjoyed since independence and promote co-existence.

Mr. Sakeni’s comment follows news that the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has with immediate effect stopped any agitation for secession and has instead opted for dialogue with the Government in the interest of peace and national unity.

Ngambela Sinyinda is quoted to have said that the nation should brace for a “shocking” amicable settlement to the impasse that was created after the declaration of Western Province as an independent State last week.

The Barotse National Council (BNC) last week in Limulunga resolved that Western Province should secede from the rest of Zambia.

ZANIS

OC and CQ release new video

OC and CQ have relesed a video for thier song “Last forever” . Its a good song with a good video.

LAST FOREVER

By Kapa187

Be a torch of hope, Clergy urges Christians in Western Province

8
File:Women from the United Church of Zambia

A clergyman in Western Province has appealed to Christians in the Province to preach peace and be a source of hope as the region experience issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.

Speaking during a Church Service at Mongu Assembly of God Church Reverend Raphael Silwamba said there is need for Christians regardless of their tribe to be a torch of hope in the province if peace is to continue prevailing.

Reverend Silwamba cautioned Christians against altering words that can bring tension and havoc, adding that people should consider seeing each other as one in Christ Jesus.

“I want to urge you not to speak words of violence against one other because of tribal differences, such issues have the potential to create tension in our society,” he said.

He noted that if not handled properly, the current reported relationship between the Lozis and Nkoya speaking people can result into apartheid which wasn’t good.

“There are indifferences we are reading in the newspapers of the Nkoyas saying this and that, it was such misunderstandings that brought hatred and war in some of our neighboring countries” he added.

Reverend Silwamba further urged Christians to ask God for wisdom for government and the Barotse National Council so that the two can reach a comprehensive agreement on the matter.

“Our role as Christians is to pray for the two authorities so that God can give them wisdom in handling this matter, we should not be seen to take sides whether Nyoya, Mbunda, Chokwe or whatever language we speak. In fact for us if we do not know what to say just keep quiet,” he said.

Zambia’s crab mentality

59

By K.Ngato

It’s almost 50 years since our beloved country got its independence, but we still on the same stage or even worse.

One would wonder, our country has a lot of natural resources but is still poor by far than some countries around the world that have nothing at all. I
guess this has much to do with our mentality; we are more like crabs in bucket “if I can’t have it, neither can you.”

You try to put crabs in a pot or bucket. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless “king of the hill” competition which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise.

The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to “pull down” (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, conspiracy or competitive feelings.

This is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality.

Let’s try to focus on developing our country unlike taking personal issues to National level at the cost of all Zambians.

Unless we deal with this mentality, we are far from development. We forget that if we push someone up, it’s easier for them to pull us up.

One Zambia, one nation. Together we can achieve wonders!!!

KK’s guidance on the Barotseland agreement is long overdue-HH

95
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema addresses journalists after attending the meeting
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema addresses journalists after attending the meeting

United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema says first republican president Kenneth Kaunda’s call for genuine consultations on the Barotseland agreement is a good start. Mr. Hichilema says the advice by the first republican president is long overdue and should be the guidance to resolving the Barotseland agreement of 1964.

In an interview with QFM Radio this morning Mr. Hichilema has stated that it is now time for all stakeholders to engage in respectful dialogue. Mr Hichilema said that the opportunity has arrived where Zambians and the government can come up with solutions that will ensure that Zambia continues to enjoy peace.

He said that it is important that a solution is found to the issues surrounding the Barotseland agreement. Mr Hichilema has however called on all the parties involved to dialogue in a peaceful and meaningfully way.

Yesterday , in a press statement made available to the media by office of the First President chief of staff Godwin Mfula, first republican President Kenneth Kaunda said that the Barotseland impasse between Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and the Barotse National Council (BNC) required collective rational interaction and the wisdom of all Zambians.

Dr Kaunda said that he believed that Zambians had the capacity, will and rationale to achieve a harmonious and peaceful resolution of the matter. Dr Kaunda said there is also need for genuine consultations among all stakeholders to ensure peace and harmony in the country.

“There is imperative need for a purposeful and peaceful interaction with all the stakeholders relating to the question of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964,” Dr Kaunda’s statement reads.
Dr Kaunda has appealed for “deep reflection, understanding, magnanimity and cooperation” in keeping with the spirit that characterised the resolve and determination of the country’s founding leaders.

“Dr Kaunda feels that in the quest and resolution to achieve national unity, harmony and cohesion, the founding fathers exhibited a rare sense of nationalism and patriotism to the common cause for the attainment of our cherished goal of One Zambia, One Nation.

“Indeed as reflected in our national anthem, the forefathers were inspired by a deep sense of unity and patriotism to our land, hence one land and one nation was their cry,” the statement reads.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has called for meaningful dialogue between the BNC and BRE to find a lasting solution over the Barotse question.
The issue of Barotseland has been hotly debated following a resolution by the BNC last week that Western Province secedes from the rest of Zambia. BNC chairperson Ngambela Clement Sinyinda has since been quizzed by the police over the matter.

QFM

Dora granted K50 million cash bail, pleads not guilty

51
Dora Siliya
Dora Siliya

Former Transport and Communications minister Dora Siliya has been granted K50 million cash bail with two working sureties. This is in a matter in which Ms Siliya is charged with two counts of abuse of Authority of office following her arrest and subsequent detention yesterday by the joint government investigative team.

Ms Siliya who spent a night in the cells at Woodlands Police Station appeared before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda in Lusaka this morning for plea, and denied the charges.

In the first count, the former cabinet minister is alleged to have directed the cancellation of a duly awarded tender worth 9 million Euros for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of the Zambia Air Traffic Management surveillance Radar system to Thales Air System SA of France.

And in the second count she is alleged to have accepted a free offer from Selex Systemi Integrati S.P.A of Italy for the repair of a Radar head at the Lusaka International Airport without following procedure resulting in the government losing close to K2 billion.

Her lawyer Sakwiba Sikota in applying for bail told the court that it was unnecessary for the Task Force to deny his client bail with impunity. He said Ms. Siliya has complied to all the summons of the Task Force and has presented herself many times she has summoned for questioning stating that he did not therefore see the reason why the investigative wings refused to grant her bail.

Trial in the matter has been set for 7th, 10th and 11th May 2012, and 26 state witnesses are expected to testify.

QFM

Number of foreigners lending money to Government now lowest since 2005

26
Bank of Zambia
Bank of Zambia

Reuters report that foreign holdings of Zambian debt have fallen to their lowest since 2005, reflecting uncertainty over the direction of policy following elections last year and the spillover from the global financial crisis, a central bank official said on Tuesday.

The Bank of Zambia also wants to consolidate the 170-plus bonds in circulation to spur trading in the secondary market, the bank’s assistant director of market operations, Jonathan Chipili, told Reuters in a phone interview.

Offshore investors’ holdings of Zambian government bonds are less than 5 percent of outstanding debt, the lowest proportion since foreigners were first allowed in to the market seven years ago, Chipili said.

September’s election, in which populist opposition leader Michael Sata unseated Rupiah Banda’s Movement for Multiparty Democracy, looked like one significant factor, he said.

“The participation of foreign investors in our securities market has reduced, even prior to the elections,” he said.

“They want to be sure how the government is going to steer its policy.”

Since coming to power, Sata has made a series of decisions that have unsettled investors in Africa’s top copper producer, including reversing the sale of state telecoms firm Zamtel and doubling mineral royalties for copper miners to 6 percent.

Last month, Fitch cut Zambia’s rating outlook to negative from stable, citing concerns about the government’s actions.

In addition to Zamtel, Sata’s administration has reversed the $5.4 million sale of a domestic bank to South Africa’s FirstRand.

Chipili said the euro zone debt crisis was also to blame for the declining foreign interest in a high-risk frontier African market.

“It’s difficult to argue that the lower participation of foreign investors is purely due to an election,” he said. “It’s a combination of factors.”

Offshore holdings of bonds were at their highest in 2008, accounting for 18.08 percent of all bond holdings, while 2011 saw the highest foreign holdings of Treasury bills at 13.35 percent.

Zambia’s central bank last week rolled out a monetary policy framework to replace money-supply targeting, setting its inaugural benchmark interest rate at a high 9 percent, effective from Monday.

Chipili said the central bank was also talking to the Ministry of Finance about reforms to improve trading in the secondary market, including introducing a primary dealership system and consolidating the number of outstanding bonds.

Just 1 percent of bonds in issue are traded on the secondary market, he said.

Zambia issues bonds in six maturities ranging from two to 15 years. But the adoption of a multiple pricing approach means each bond has its own price, Chipili said.

“We’ve got so many bonds on issue, so the bond market is highly fragmented,” he said. “What we want to do is to have whatever is circulating on each tenor consolidated into one bond so that they’ve got the same maturity date and when we reissue they should have the same price.”

The bank hoped to introduce the reforms this year, he added.

[Reuters]

Henry Banda’s arrest requests politically motivated- Lawyers

50

Following media reports on the Zambian government’s failure to lay charges in support of requests for the arrest of Henry Banda, son of former Zambian President Rupiah Banda,their legal counsel have dismissed the arrest requests as unfounded and politically motivated.

This is contained in a statement availed to Lusakatimes by Vuma Reputation Management.

“These unspecified allegations against Henry Banda are politically driven and without foundation. It is clearly not a genuine investigation,” said Robert Amsterdam of Amsterdam & Peroff LLP, who represents both Rupiah and Henry Banda.

“The bogus accusations levelled against Henry, which change from day to day, form part of a wider campaign to persecute the former president, his party and the political opposition at large.”

The Government of Zambia is using the false pretext of “anti-corruption” to eliminate political competition, said Amsterdam.

Two weeks ago the ruling Patriotic Front party, through the Chief Registrar of Societies, attempted to force the de-registration of the opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and vacate 53 parliamentary seats.

On Monday, April 2, the Zambian police arrested and jailed without bail opposition spokesperson Dora Siliya, who served as Communications Minister under former President Rupiah Banda.

“As we have seen from the attempts to dissolve the MMD and the repeated arrests of opposition party leadership, there are elements within the highest levels of the governing Patriotic Front party which seek to return Zambia to a one-party state,” Amsterdam said.

“In the absence of any real evidence against Henry Banda, we can see that the government is making arrests and attempting to pressure individuals to produce false evidence.”

Amsterdam continued: “This charade is an embarrassment to Zambia’s legal system and should not be tolerated by the public. Most Zambians can see right through these fabricated charges and trials-by-headline which are politically driven and in no way rooted in fact.

Make no mistake: democracy and the rule of law are under attack in Zambia today.”

Amsterdam & Peroff LLP along with law firm Brian Kahn Inc of Johannesburg, South Africa were appointed to represent Former President Rupiah Banda and his son Henry Banda on March 22, 2012. The legal team is currently preparing emergency appeals to international bodies to halt the unlawful conduct of the Government of Zambia.

Fred M’membe’s contempt of court four-month jail sentence quashed

33
Post Newspapers editor- in- Chief Fred M'membe
File: Post Newspapers editor- in- Chief Fred M'membe

THE Lusaka High Court has quashed a four-month jail sentence imposed on The Post newspapers editor-in-chief Fred M’membe for contempt of court. The court has, however, replaced the custodial sentence imposed on the Post Newspaper with a fine of K135,000.

Mr M’membe and The Post Newspaper appealed against both the conviction and sentence by the subordinate court. They were convicted of one count of contempt of court contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

The Post editor-in-chief was sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour and the newspaper was sentenced to four months simple imprisonment but the sentences were to be served concurrently by Mr M’membe.

Mr M’membe allegedly committed the contempt of court when the newspaper published an article touching on a case in which former Post news editor Chansa Kabwela was charged with circulating obscene matters. The article was entitled The Chansa Kabwela case: a comedy of errors.

Delivering judgment in Lusaka yesterday, a panel of three High Court judges, Royda Kaoma, Mwiinde Siavwapa and Fulgence Chisanga, said there was no evidence to prove that Mr M’membe masterminded the publication of the offending article.

“We accordingly quash the order under which the first appellant (Mr M’membe) was to serve a term of imprisonment on behalf of the second appellant (The Post Newspaper).

“Accordingly, we sentence the second appellant to a fine of K135, 000 to be paid forthwith. In default, a warrant of distress shall be issued on the immovable or movable property of the second appellant to recover the fine,” Ms Justice Kaoma said.

The judgment was read by Ms Justice Kaoma, who is Kitwe High Court judge-in-charge, on behalf of other judges. She said the court has substituted the term of imprisonment with a fine payable by the second appellant because the newspaper is a first offender.

Ms Justice Kaoma said the maximum fine prescribed for contempt of court under the law is only 750 penalty units, which is equivalent to K135, 000. She said the court received with ‘a sense of shock’ the judgement that the newspaper should serve a jail sentence because there is no such proposition of law or judicial practice in Zambia.

Ms Justice Kaoma said although a corporate body can be sentenced to imprisonment, there is no support for the proposition that the alter ego of the corporation can serve the term of imprisonment on its behalf.

She said the K135, 000 fine is inadequate as punishment, especially for a corporate entity, but only Parliament has the power to amend it. Ms Kaoma said the judges strongly recommend that Government should consider a review of the law regarding fines on erring corporate bodies.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

MMD loses Chama, Mkushi seats

16

THE MMD has yet again suffered a setback after the Lusaka High Court nullified election results for two parliamentary seats held by the former ruling party.

The election of Mutale Musonda as Mkushi-North Member of Parliament (MP) and that of Darius Mumba for Chama North were nullified on grounds that the duo was involved in corrupt activities and separately disseminated malicious statements.Patriotic Front (PF) losing candidate, Ingrid Mphande petitioned the Mkushi-North seat, while Lambwe Kachali also of the PF had disputed the Chama-North parliamentary results.

Passing judgement yesterday, High Court Judge, Anne Sitali, said the petitioner had proved his case to warrant the nullification of the Chama-North election results.

In the Mkushi-North petition, Judge Mungeni Mulenga, said the respondent disseminated false information that there would be war in the country if the PF candidate was elected.

“In regard to the publishing of false information, I am satisfied that the election cannot be said to have been free and fair.

”Therefore, the MMD candidate was not duly-elected as MP for Mkushi-North. This election is, therefore, nullified and leave to appeal is granted,” she said.

Ms Justice Mulenga said it was evident from the six affected wards out of the 11 that the majority of the voters were prevented from electing the candidate of their choice. This, she said, amounted to undue influence especially that rural areas were predominantly idle.

Ms Justice Mulenga said false information that the PF would cause war once elected into power and that the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP) would be suspended, was malicious because people in that area had limited access to information.

In an interview after the nullification, Ms Mphande said she was happy that the Judiciary’s independence had been demonstrated.

In the Chama-North petition, Judge Sitali said there was massive distribution of bicycles and mattresses in the constituency before the election period especially to some chiefs in exchange for votes.

She said the petitioner had proved the case beyond the standard balance of probability, warranting the court to nullify the seat.

[Times of Zambia]

15 firms keen on $700m Eurobond

26

FIFTEEN potential book runners and five legal advisors have expressed interest in Zambia’s debut Eurobond of as much as US$700 million. The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) is currently evaluating the bids for both the book runner and the legal adviser.

Bank of Zambia deputy governor of operations, Bwalya Ng’andu expressed confident that results for the successful winners for both the book runner and the legal adviser would be announced by the ZPPA soon.

A Eurobond is an international bond issued in a currency other than the currency of the country or market in which it is issued. Dr Ng’andu said Zambia will have a successful bond issuance going by the list of companies that expressed interest in it.

“What is interesting is that we have attracted some of the best and renowned companies, which tells us that there is a lot of interest in the Eurobond and this shows that there is a lot of confidence in the Zambian economy. We are anxious to see the outcome,” he said.

Dr Ng’andu said in an interview in Lusaka last week. He however could not name the firms that have expressed interest for both book runners and legal advisors. Some bidders that have expressed interest for Zambia’s US$700 million bond include HSBC Holdings Plc and Rabobank International’s Zambia National Commercial Bank.

Recently, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda said Zambia will sell a 10-year Eurobond in 2012 to raise money for infrastructure and other construction projects. The bond that was expected to be issued last year but was put on hold as the European debt crisis curbed demand for debt.

Zambia will join other sub-Saharan African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Gabon, Senegal, Seychelles and Namibia, which have sold international debt.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Barotse Royal Establishment drops secession demands, will opt for dialogue with Government instead-Sinyinda

145

NGAMBELA of the Lozi people in Western Province, Clement Sinyinda says the traditional leadership has with immediate effect stopped any agitation for secession.

Mr Sinyinda said the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has instead opted for dialogue with the Government in the interest of peace and national unity.

He said in an interview yesterday that the nation should brace for a “shocking” amicable settlement to the impasse that was created after the declaration of Western Province as an independent State last week.

The Barotse National Council (BNC) last week in Limulunga resolved that Western Province should secede from the rest of Zambia.

“You will not follow this news anymore but it will follow you. Give us a little time. I have actually issued instructions to all our people throughout Barotseland and those in other parts of the country to stop issuing statements that will promote divisions,” Mr Sinyinda said.

When asked whether he was still in hiding, he said it was not necessary to discuss such a matter but the nation should expect a breathtaking settlement to the problem soon.

“We are very safe where we are and the news will come to you very soon. You will not need to follow it,” he said.

He said the Government had acted responsibly, while the traditional leadership in Western Province had continued issuing attacks, which was not good for dialogue.Mr Sinyinda said steps were being taken to ensure that the matter was resolved as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu said the Government would resolve the matter without any attack on the traditional leadership in Western Province.

On reports that the Ngambela had gone into hiding with Induna Mukulwakashiko, Mr Zulu said the two should continue enjoying their freedom.The minister said the Government would remain calm in searching for solutions instead of attacking the traditional leadership in the area.

“We know that there is no country in the world which has seceded without bloodshed, that is why you have not heard the Government threatening the people of Western Province,” Mr Zulu said.

Meanwhile, first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda, who was co-signatory to the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, has appealed to all Zambians to safeguard peace and harmony in the country.

Dr Kaunda said citizens should protect the spirit that characterised the determination of the founding fathers of Zambia.He said genuine consultations among all stakeholders should start now for continued stability and peace.

In a statement signed by his chief of staff, Godwin Mfula, in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kaunda said there was need for cooperation over the matter.

[Times of Zambia]

Mulongoti calls for an Indaba on Barotseland

14
Former MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti
Mike Mulongoti

Former Works and Supply minister Mike Mulongoti has suggested that the best way to handle the controversy surrounding the Barotseland agreement of 1964 is to call for a conference of all the Seven Districts that made submissions to the Barotse National Council.

Mr. Mulongoti tells Qfm in an exclusive interview that the outcome of the conference should be followed by a referendum process together with the ongoing constitution making process.

He says doing so would allow an opportunity for all people in the concerned areas to speak out on the matter adding that the matter should not be rushed into a referendum.

On Ngambela Clement Sinyinda’s statement that he will die for the restoration of the Barotseland agreement of 1964, Mr. Mulongoti says Mr Sinyinda was expressing his emotions on the matter.

He says if Mr Sinyinda should not have gone onto hiding after being interrogated if he is ready to die for his cause.

And Mr. Mulongoti has lauded former vice-president Enoch Kavindele’s move to join the race to contest the MMD presidency at the forthcoming extra-ordinary convention.

Mr. Mulongoti who is former MMD chairman for elections has further stated that there is no front runner in the MMD’s presidential race.

He has noted that all aspiring candidates including the latest entrant have equal chances of being elected at the convention.

Mr Kavindele is said to be favored by many members because of his continued loyalty despite being frustrated in the past.

QFM

Zambia opens negotiations with South Africa on Henry Banda-Lubinda

33
Given Lubinda and Press secretary Presidential affairs George Chellah

Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda has said that the Zambian government has opened negotiations with the South African government on the issue concerning fugitive Henry Banda, Son to former president Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Lubinda said that the discussions with the South African government follows media reports that that country has refused to corporate with the Zambian government.

This follows South African high commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane who is quoted as saying that his country will need solid charges to hand over Henry to the Zambian law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Lubinda said that government through the ministry of foreign affairs has begun negations with the South African Government through the high commissioner to Zambia.

He said that it is a known fact that the issue of questioning Henry Banda is in the best interest of the two countries. Mr. Lubinda has however stated that issues surrounding Henry will not strain the diplomatic relations between the countries.

Henry is wanted by the Zambian law enforcement agencies over his involvement in the engagement of R.P capital Group to evaluate ZAMTEL assets and the subsequent sale of the company to LAP Green networks of Libya.

And spokesperson for the joint team of investigative wings, Munganga Chanda has said normal channels are being followed to ensure the fugitive son of former President Rupiah Banda, Henry is brought home to answer to pending charges.

In an exclusive interview with Qfm, Ms Chanda declined to comment on a statement attributed to South African High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane that his country cannot extradite Henry to their Zambian counterparts in the absence of solid charges.

She said that efforts to arrest Henry who has been on the wanted list by the security wings are progressing well and that an Interpol red notice alert is in force.

On March 30th, 2012, a South African online publication, the Mail and Guardian reported that Henry has permanent residence in South Africa, where he enjoys business connections despite being on the police’s wanted list in Zambia.

The publication established that Henry has a company operating in Johannesburg that was registered in 1996 which still operates in South Africa.

Henry’s purported company Gushford Four is believed to be dealing in financial intermediation, insurance, real estate and business services.

QFM

New Appraisal System For Rugby Coaches

1

The Zambia Rugby Coaches Association (ZRCA) has underscored the importance of appointing qualified coaches to handle national teams.
ZRCA Secretary Enoch Shikabeta said his association has intensfied the monitoring of coaches’ performance on the local front.

Shikabeta revealed that ZRCA over the weekend introduced coaches monitoring system called coach’s diaries.

He explained that the coaches diaries will be used through out the 2012 rugby season to monitor coaches.

” The ZRCA has issued coach’s diaries to all team coaches to be used for 2012 rugby season. The coach’s diaries are being used to monitor coaches’ performance, for accreditation and for future considerations at higher levels of coaching” he said.

Shikabeta was speaking in Kitwe during the American Tournament which was won by hosts Diggers who beat Ndola Wanderers 12-0 in the finals played on Saturday.