Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Chinga Miyutu has expressed happiness over the progress taking place at the site where the Mongu stadium will be built.
Mr. Miyutu, who visited the stadium site before proceeding to Kalabo, found workers clearing the site.
A visibly impressed Deputy Minister said he was happy that Western province was benefitting from the campaign promises of the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
Mr. Miyutu was accompanied by Western province Deputy Permanent Secretary Namukolo Kamona.
And acting Western Province Sports Coordinator Kasolo Chisenga told Mr. Miyutu that the clearing will cover an area of 1,600 square metres and will be completed in 15 days time.
He said 100 casual workers have since been engaged who are using hand tools to cut the few remaining obstacles left by the bulldozer.
And Mrs. Mwiya Sikendaba, one of the casual workers at the site, thanked President Sata for sanctioning the construction of an ultra modern stadium in Mongu.
She said President Sata should be commended by all well meaning Zambians and people of Western province in particular as the stadium will not only develop sports in the province but business activities as well.
The ultra modern Mongu stadium, which will have a sitting capacity of 20,000 people, is situated about 5 kilometres east of Mongu Boma along the Mongu/Lusaka road.
Senior Chief Kazembe of the Lunda people in Kazembe district says his subjects are in dire need of drugs and medical staff.
And Kawambwa District Commissioner Ivo Mpasa has welcomed government’s planned construction of a district hospital.
Speaking when Deputy Minister of Health Christopher Mulenga paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, the Mwata said his subjects are complaining of lack of adequate medical personnel.
He therefore urged government to address the health challenges the district was facing.
The Chief explained that currently, the district only has four nurses, one Laboratory Technician, and one Environmental Lab Technician who are over worked as they have to serve a population of over 10,000 people.
He also urged government to consider training more medical staff who he said should be patriotic enough to be ready to work in any part of the country including his chiefdom.
The Mwata commended government for its health schemes aimed at addressing various health challenges being faced country wide.
The Mwata expressed happiness at government’s decentralisation system which will enable public service workers to be confirmed by Permanent Secretaries in their respective Provinces.
He said many of his subjects have not yet been confirmed, saying he will take it upon himself to compile the list of their names and submit it to the Provincial Permanent Secretary.
And Health Deputy Minister Christopher Mulenga assured the Chief that government would address the issue of shortage of medical staff urgently.
Mr Mulenga said it is government’s desire to ensure that all medical personnel are ready to work anywhere including rural areas.
The Deputy Minister also disclosed that government will soon open more health training centres to meet the current shortage of staff country wide.
He also said government will reopen as all the closed health training facilities.
The Health Deputy Minister also disclosed that government has come up with a new Health Social Security Insurance Fund which will be implemented in August this year.
Mr Mulenga explained that the insurance fund will replace the traditional user medical fees which he said are costly for citizens.
He explained that government will start with public service workers in implementing the medical insurance fund and later roll out to the private sector.
And Kawambwa District Commissioner Ivo Mpasa also commended government for its efforts in setting up health facilities country wide.
Mr Mpasa also thanked government for its plans to give Kawambwa district an ambulance, saying the move has come at the right time as the district is in dire need of an ambulance, a situation he said forced his office to surrender one of its vehicles to ferry patients.
Mwata Kazembe expressed happiness at government’s decentralisation system which will enable public service workers to be confirmed by Permanent Secretaries in their respective Provinces.
He said many of his subjects have not yet been confirmed, saying he will take it upon himself to compile the list of their names and submit it to the Provincial Permanent Secretary.
Earlier, Provincial Medical Health Officer Dr Elicho Bwalya disclosed that the process of confirmation in the public service will be done at provincial and district levels.
The Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambia Constitution has reiterated that it’s not within its mandate to discuss the mode of adopting the new Zambian Constitution which will be formulated after all consultative processes are completed.
Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution Chairperson, Annel Silungwe said the Committee’s Terms of Reference was very clear on the matter.
Justice Silungwe said the Technical Committee has Terms of Reference given by the Republican President, Michael Sata to draft the constitution and not to determine the mode of adoption of the document.
He said the committee will not go beyond its Terms of Reference given by the appointing authority but advised delegates to remember that the mode of adoption is addressed in the guidelines.
The Chairperson explained that the work of the Technical Committee will come to an end once the Final Draft Constitution is drafted and presented to the Republication President.
Justice Silungwe was reacting to attempts by a delegate representing the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Muhabi Lungu who wanted the House to add the mode of adopting the document on its agenda before splitting into Thematic Working Groups.
Another attempt to support the call to discuss the mode of adopting the constitution by Charles Kafumbo of the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) was curtailed by Get Involved Zambia (GIZ) Executive Director, Father Frank Bwalya who raised a point of order to question whether it was orderly to repeat what the previous speaker had already raised.
The House was almost diverted into discussing the legality of the Convention after the Solwezi West MMD Member of Parliament, Humphrey Mwanza raised to ask but both National Revolution Party President, Dr Cosmo Mumba and the National Youth Chairperson for the opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Antonio Mwanza defended the legality of the convention before Deputy Chairperson of the Technical Committee, Dr Julius Sakala responded to clarify the matter.
All this happened before the guidelines on the conduct of the delegates during the Convention were read to the House.
Meanwhile, a delegate from Western province has asked the Technical Committee to allow him present to the House the message from the Province about the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
The issue attracted debate even before the Committee Chairperson responded to his request which led to the matter left unresolved as the House went for a lunch break.
But when the House reconvened, Convention Facilitator Muyunda Mwanalushi told the House that the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 and the mode of adoption will be considered in the Thematic Working Groups.
By Press time, the House was also expected to elect the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson to preside over the deliberations of the Convention before the close of the day’s business.
Zesco United coach Tenant Chembo says they have a good shot at picking up the three points this weekend against Napsa.
The three-time league champions play their second home match this Saturdays seeking their first win in Ndola this season.
Zesco lost 2-0 to Nkwazi in their Week Two game on March 23.
“Take nothing away from Napsa they are a good team, they are playing well,” Chembo sai at the nd of wednesdays training at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
“They are also not having a good run in their last three games. It’s going to be hard.”
Napsa are second from bottom in 15th place on one point from three games played and come into this match with two successive defeats.
10th placed Zesco on the other hand have also been erratic with a win, a defeat and a draw.
“It won’t be easy but we are equal to the task because we are playing at home,” Chembo said.
“The players have promised that they will work towards the goal of winning.”
Chembo is also feeling bullish after new signing Patrick Kabamba scored his first goal of the season in the 1-1 draw away to Konkola Blades on April 7.
Barclays Bank Africa Chief Executive and Head of Absa Group, Kennedy Bungane has described Zambia’s economic programme as one the best in Africa and a powerful story that inspires investor confidence.
Mr Bungane says the Zambian story is a powerful message that Zambia and Africa’s rise as a whole is no longer an illusion but a measurable factor that business can see.
Mr Bungane said this at the Zambia Round-Table Forum on investment on the theme “Seeking to be the Bread Basket of Africa” held at Marriot Hotel in central London today.
He said the political and business leadership in Zambia has demonstrated the confidence investors wanted to see in emerging economies.
He pointed out that the US$750 million Zambia-Eurobond has been the best story of the continent in the past year.
Mr Bungane also noted that the latest Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Report has endorsed Zambia’s resilient showing which is projecting an impressive 8.1 percent GDP growth in 2013.
He points out that this is yet another indication of the stability and growth trajectory of the Zambia economy in the short-to- medium term.
And Baroness Lynda Chalker, the chairperson of Africa Matters Limited that is co-sponsoring the event with Barclays Bank, said Zambia’s unique position at the centre of two viable regional economic blocs namely SADC and COMESA provides huge investment opportunities in communications and transport.
Baroness Chalker said Zambia urgently needs efficient transport and communication infrastructure in North-Western Province, which needs linkages with Angola, DRC and Namibia.
Acting Zambia High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Chola Chama urged investors to engage with the mission across various aspects of investment especially mining, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, ICTS and communications and transport.
Mr Chama said the government of President Michael Chilufya Sata is determined to woo investment from all parts of the world and that the United Kingdom was one of the top priorities.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Robert Sichinga is leading a government delegation that includes deputy minister for transport and communications Panji Kaunda, deputy minister of Mines Richard Musukwa, Zambia Development Agency Director-General Andrew Chipwende and other senior officials.
And Mr Chipwende told the forum that Zambia’s growth path in the next four years was bright given the remarkable investments in key sectors such as road construction and rehabilitation.
He said Zambia has launched road works worth over $5 billion over a period of four years.
He pointed out that this will result in job creation and real economic growth.
This is contained in a statement released to QFM NEWS by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian high commission in London Amos Chanda.
The arrest of human rights activist Paul Kasonkomona deserves condemnation by all Zambians of good will. If speaking in favor of gay rights is a crime, then our democracy is hollow. Free speech is among the many values that democracy upholds. Of course, the Acting President, Edgar Lungu, justified the arrest on the premise that “the bible is against” same-sex relations and that people with money are behind gay rights – hence “we better remain poor” than grant gays their rights. It is clear that Mr. Lungu does not know that he is not acting Bishop but President. With due respect, the Bible is not the constitution of Zambia.
That said, I want to remind Mr. Lungu that he will not remain poor – he has already accumulated a lot through undeserved allowances he receives, while the majority languish in perpetual poverty. “We,” the people, will remain poor whether we accept gay rights or not. However, Mr. Lungu’s utterances are also indicative of how gay rights are perceived – is all about money which is false.
In my article, “Does God Make Mistakes: Addressing the Issue of Gays,” I challenged our religious hypocrisy of using biblical verses when they suit our tastes. My point was that every human being is sacred. If anything, we are one big family, God’s family. My mother, my twin brother, my younger brothers and sisters may disagree with me on this issue. But that does not make us enemies. We are a family and that is more important to us than our perceived differences. If anything, my brothers and sisters would defend me should you attack me.
[pullquote]if there is someone who should be in jail, it is GBM and Winter Kabimba – and not the innocent Paul Kasonkomona[/pullquote].
As Zambians, we should consider ourselves as one family. We carry one passport and share one name, Mother Zambia. We are all endowed with inherent rights and Dignity by the Creator. I know you can cite versus from the Bible to make your case, but the bible tells me that we are all children of God. I am not saying that there is no room for disagreements, but those differences shouldn’t rob us of our dignity.
I read every comment that was posted on my article. You may call me whatever you want, but I will never diminish your dignity. Being an Ethicist, I won’t waste time reciting counter-verses. What I want to know, however, is how being gay affects your lifestyle, your family, your marriage and of course your faith as a Christian.
Some critics cited Sodom and Gomorrah. However, they missed the ethical point of that story. The moral actor in that story is not God but Abraham, who was a righteous man. Unlike most Christians today, Abraham pleaded with God to stop the destruction of “sinners” in those two cities. I know this story is highly complex for people without ethical training but the point is that despite being a holy man, Abraham did not condemn Sodom and Gomorrah to hell – rather he wrestled with God to try and save it. Likewise, your duty is to pray for us sinners and not to kill us! Some critics used the meme, “love the sinner and hate the sin.” Yet their responses were full of insults, hatred and demonization. It is one thing for you to attack me as the author of this article but it is another to insult innocent people. Please insult me to your liking but not sexual minorities.
[pullquote]Today, the PF government wants to employ the gay issue to distract from real issues facing our nation – corruption, lack of rule of law and shortages[/pullquote].
Let me take this opportunity to remind you that the culture of insults in detrimental to democracy. In case you don’t know, I have always defended human rights for all and I mean all – women, boys, girls, gays, straight, prostitutes, drunkards and even murderers. I believe that sin does not take away our humanity. This is why I oppose capital punishment and any form of brutality by those in power.
Coming back to gay rights, I kept a low profile on this issue – especially when it came to Zambia. But there are kairos moments when taking a stand is all we have to do. I am a defender of gay rights and I am not apologetic about it. I fully understand that defending human rights demands courage – that is why it is a struggle. We only get human rights by putting our lives on the line. When women began the battle for their rights, some were killed. When our liberation heroes began their struggles, some were killed and others stayed in prison for decades. But justice cannot be denied – the oppressed are always the victors. As for those who wondered whether I am gay, my answer is – what difference does it make? Oppression of our fellow human beings is not a Christian or African value.
As a Zambian, I am highly concerned with lack of civility in how we debate issues. We seem to strive on the culture of insults – from politicians to Christians. It is a shame that in the nation that prides itself in Christian values, we see nothing wrong with the comments that threaten to kill gays.
[pullquote]Free speech is among the many values that democracy upholds[/pullquote]
My sisters and brothers, Jesus calls us to love even our enemies. Demeaning the humanity of another person is not a virtue but a vice. You don’t need reminding that the first step to genocide is demeaning your opponents’ humanity. The Rwanda genocide is an excellent example. The Tutsi were dehumanized as cockroaches – thereby justifying their slaughter. The same thing happened to the Jews in Nazi German.
But, the dehumanization of gays seems to follow a pattern. When MMD was losing popularity, it attached the gay issue to PF. Today, the PF government wants to employ the gay issue to distract from real issues facing our nation – corruption, lack of rule of law and shortages. By the way, Mr. Lungu, if there is someone who should be in jail, it is GBM and Winter Kabimba – and not the innocent Paul Kasonkomona.
I know that most of us believe that the arrest of Paul is is justified because he is a gay rights activist. The truth is, the persecution of gay rights activists says much about our democracy. It started with the arrest of citizens for speaking against President Sata. Then Nevers Mumba, HH, Rupiya Banda and now Paul. Unless we put a stop to this madness, tomorrow we should not complain when they come for us.
Let me end by challenging the Acting President and Madam Kanjera to issue my warrant of arrest since I am a proud gay rights advocate. You don’t need to investigate, the evidence is all over – from The Lusaka times to the United Nations.
ISUSYA’s Shop was one of the shops where goods were looted by an angry mob in Katete
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One of the shops where goods were looted by an angry mob in Katete
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Police Officers load suspected looters onto a van during the riots that occurred in Katete
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Police Officers load suspected looters onto a van during the riots that occurred in Katete
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Some recovered items at Kavulamungu Bargain Centre, that were looted during the riot that occurred in Katete
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Kavulamungu and Keson’s shops that were broken into and goods looted during the riots in Katete
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Some of the goods that remained in Kavulamungu shop after the Katete riots
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Shop workers offload goods from a van which were recovered after residents looted in a riot in Katete. The recovery was done with the help of Zambia National Service (ZNS) Officers and the Zambia Police Service.
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A suspected looter being made to offload his bounty from a van as ZNS officers watch
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Police and ZNS Officers put out a fire after rioters burnt tyres along the Great East road
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An unidentified person loads some recovered goods on a van. The goods were found in Chibolya compound after a search by a combined team of Police and ZNS Officers
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Kavulamungu Shop with some recovered items on the corridor. The shop was looted by Katete residents
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ZNS Officers guard suspected looters after a riot which occurred on Katete. Looking on is Kavulamungu Bargain Centre proprietor, Salim Mitta, whose shop was broken into and goods looted
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Katete District Commissioner, Colonel Peter Kaisa, talks to Edward Chilonge, a Police Officer who was injured during the riot
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The Eastern Provincial Joint Operation Committee (PJOC) addresses suspected looters at Katete Prison on Thursday. The looting occurred after residents in the district rioted following the murder of a school girl in the area last week
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Kavulamunga Bargain Centre Proprietor, Salim Mitta, talks to Eastern Province Minister, Malozo Sichone, who was in Katete to check of the extent of damage caused by residents who rioted and looted shops
The national constitution convention has today kicked off in Lusaka with hundreds of people from various sectors of society gathering to make final contributions to the first draft constitution before the final one is formulated and handed over to President Michael Sata.
This national convention follows the successful holding of 82 district consultative forums, 10 provincial conventions and the recently held sector groups’ convention which was a specialized distinguished gathering of professionals and subject experts who were grouped in sectors according to their area of specialization and expertise.
Acting President Edgar Lungu officially opened the national constitution convention in the history of the country on behalf of President Sata.
Mr. Sata reaffirmed that under the Patriotic Front government, Zambia will not borrow or import a constitution from any other country but will formulate its own people driven supreme law of the land.
He said in a speech read for him by Mr. Lungu that the national convention, which marks the conclusion of the formal consultative process on drafting the Zambian constitution, demonstrates that Zambians are capable of rising above personal interests and work together for the common good of the nation.
The President noted that world over, the constitution making process was an art in compromise and consensus building which calls on citizens to give prominence to national interest as opposed to serving narrow partisan interest.
He said the constitution making should have a long term perspective and should not be motivated by short term gains.
President Sata has since urged delegates to utilize the platform provided by the national convention to selflessly contribute to the development of a new constitutional order because they carry the aspirations of millions Zambians.
He stated that the unsuccessful attempts of the past should motivate all delegates to finally put before the Zambian people a constitution that entrenches constitutional democracy, upholds the rule of law and establishes a credible governance system where the rights and liberties of all people are fully respected and protected.
The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment and determination to motivate the people of Zambia to give themselves a new people-driven and people centered constitution.
President Sata repeatedly emphasized that the process should be undertaken with a great sense of patriotism and reminded delegates and the technical committee not to simply pander to foreign interests or seek to incorporate standards and principles which do not reflect the country’s unique socio-political environment.
He added that Zambia seeks a modern constitution that will reflect its democratic progress but noted that the modern constitution should not be done without due regard to who the people of Zambia are.
And Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba, who is also the ruling Patriotic Front Secretary General said his party pledge to give Zambia a people driven constitution which he said his government has prioritised.
He said the PF government will do everything within its power to ensure that the Zambian people achieve their desired goal of a people driven constitution which will stand a test of time.
He echoed the President’s sentiments that Zambia will not borrow or import a constitution from other country but will work hard to formulate its own document that will shape the future of the country and its people.
Mr. Kabimba noted that Zambia has been peaceful since independence and has therefore called on all Zambians to remain peaceful and united as always.
And Technical Committee Chairperson Annel Silungwe praised President Sata for the political will he has shown in having the constitution making process completed.
Justice Silungwe has since commended all participants for the commitment shown in the ongoing constitution making exercise.
He disclosed that the resolutions of the national convention, comments that were made by the local and international experts on constitutional law and practice as well as resolutions adopted at the sector groups’ convention will be considered by the technical committee when preparing for the final draft constitution.
The national convention will receive and consider the comments and recommendations of the ten provincial conventions and further examine and deliberate on the clauses of the first draft constitution.
The convention will also prepare and submit a national convention report which will highlight the comments and recommendations to the technical committee for consideration in preparing the final draft constitution.
The proceedings of the national convention will be conducted in both thematic working groups and plenary sessions that will be assigned parts of the first draft constitution to consider before the convention closes on Wednesday next week.
Nchanga Rangers 4(Bonwell Mwape 6″, Alex Ngonga 39″, pen, Levy Zulu 68″, Felix Nyaende 82″ pen)-Roan United 1(Lyson Sikaonga 10″ pen)
Postponed
Zanaco-Forest Rangers
Week One
31/03/2013
Zanaco 0-Red Arrows 1(Lubinda Mundia 5″)
CAF Champions League
Second Round, Return Leg
06/04/2013
Johannesburg
Orlando Pirates 2(Khethowakhe Masuku 18″, Mpho Makola 77″)-Zanaco 1(Musonda Mwape 48″)
Division One
North
Kitwe United 2-Ndola United 0
Kalewa 2-FQM 0
Grineker 0-Nkwiza 2
Mansa 1-Kansanshi 1
Bresmer 0-Indeni 0
Prison 1-Mufulira Blackpool 2
Mufulira Wanderers 1-Chindwin 1
Premium 0-National Assembly 1
Chambishi 1-Mumbwa 1
SOUTH
Kafue Celtic 2-Mongu Youth Sports Academy 0
Luena Buffaloes 0- Nakambala Leopards 1
Mazabuka United 2- Young Green Eagles 1
Green Eagles 5-Panza 0
Paramilitary 1- City of Lusaka 0
Lusaka City Council 1- Lusaka Tigers 0
Lusaka Dynamos 1- Nampundwe 2
Livingstone Pirates 0- Riflemen 0
Young Stars-Kalomo Jetters*
Jetters failed to travel to Chipata
AUSTRALIAN firm Chrysalis Resources has intersected more and rich copper mineralisation at Wangolo Prospect in Solwezi in Northwestern Province.
The discovery is between Barrick Gold’s Lumwana Copper Mine and First Quantum Minerals (FQM)’s Kansanshi mine and falls within the Shikila Licence for copper project in Zambia by Chrysalis Resources.
According to Proactive Investors Australia, the highlights include four metres at 1.21 per cent copper, 4.5 metres at 1.38 per cent copper and 1.5 metres at 0.96 per cent copper.
The Wangolo Prospect was the subject of drilling in the 1960s which defined some copper mineralisation.
The new discovery at Wangolo has copper grades which are consistent with other copper mines in the area.
Chrysalis undertook drilling at the Wangolo Prospect in late 2012, and the latest results from holes drilled northwest of the thick crosscutting hydrothermal dolomite confirm the extension of the shallow northeast dipping contact mineralisation.
These results, which substantiate the earlier 1960s drill results, will be included in resource modelling to be undertaken during April/May 2013.
Further exploration of the two styles of Wangolo mineralisation will focus on extending the boundaries of the existing hydrothermal dolomite to the northeast and locating similar mineralised cross-cutting structures that are thought to be dyke-like.
Firms actively involved in China’s railway sector have expressed interest to help Zambia improve her railway sector to create a ‘super link’ across the country.
The firms would also be willing to look at the possibility of setting up an intra-town speed train service in Lusaka.
Transport and Communications Minister Christopher Yaluma said in an interview the two companies that had expressed interest were China Railway Construction Company and china Railway Engineering Company.
The two firms are involved in capital intensive projects undertaken in China.
China Railway had also been involved with the construction of the 1,800 km Tazara railway line and had highly skilled staff and expertise.
“We talked to them and will continue to look at other people that can help revamp our infrastructure. All provincial airports will be upgraded to international standard to compete favourably in the tourism industry as all areas of country will be easily accessible,” Mr Yaluma said.
He said to link Zambia with its neighbours by rail was a challenging and ambitious programme. The railway sector had been run down but revamping it had fringe benefits such as extending the life span of the road network as the mining industry would utilise the road as opposed to the current situation.
The other benefit of having a working railway system was the reduction in costs of doing business.
The proposed super link will connect Durban in South Africa to Lubumbashi in DR Congo and Benguela and Lobito in Angola.
Another line would connect Mpulungu harbour which is a gateway to the great lakes region to the Tazara rail line in Kasama’s Nseluka area.
The other would extend from Kafue into Zimbabwe through to the port of Beira in Mozambique.
FILE: Local Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi (left) and her Information and Broadcasting counterpart Kennedy Sakeni spot identical national colour fatigues at the laying of wreaths at Freedom Statue.
Government has approved the long awaited National Decentralisation Policy which will empower provinces and districts manage their own affairs for effective social economic development.
The new decentralisation policy would promote people’s participation in democratic governance at the local level.
The policy would also promote participation of chiefs and other traditional leaders in governance and preservation of cultural and heritage, whilst respecting cultural diversity.
Local Government and Housing minister Emerine Kabanshi announced the approval of the new decentralisation policy during a press briefing held at her office in Lusaka yesterday.
Ms Kabanshi said Cabinet approved the new national decentralisation policy during its meeting held in February this year.
Ms Kabanshi was, however, quick to mention that not all functions would be transferred to the councils, but that Central Government shall retain some core functions over essential national matters.
“The central government shall also continue to build capacity in councils for them to improve performance of such core functions as planning and budgeting, personnel and financial management,” she said.
She said the Government through Cabinet office shall also provide leadership and direction to implementation of devolution and implementation of the national decentralisation policy.
The minister called on stakeholders to take keen interest in the implementation of the policy, which sought to ensure that benefits of government programmes accrued to citizens regardless of political affiliation, cultural and economic status or indeed gender.
She said Government had this year embarked on devolution of some central government functions to cities, municipal and district councils in a phased manner.
“Government places great importance on local government, as it is the engine for delivering public infrastructure and services, local economic development and participation,” Ms Kabanshi said.
She said the decentralisation policy would bring about benefits such as the political stability which would be secured by active participation of the local people in developmental activities.
People would also participate in politics through voting and other governance practices such as civic education and democratic accountability.
She said the policy would empower provinces, districts and communities to achieve effective social economic development.
“The policy will also promote cooperative governance with the national government, provincial administration, provincial assemblies and local authorities to support and enhance the development role of local government,” she said.
She urged the media to help the ministry inform and educate the public on the implementation of the policy which had already commenced with the creation of districts.
The vision of the National decentralisation Policy was to promote a decentralised system of governance within a unitary State and the mission statement was to promote decentralised and democratically elected systems of governance which enhanced community participation.
Deputy Sports minister Steven Masumba has testified before the Lusaka magistrate’s court that he was honestly awarded with the diploma he is alleged to have forged because he successfully completed his accounting course.
Masumba told Principal Magistrate Wilfred Muma that it was painful to be accused of things he did not know.
He said the diploma in question was genuinely given to him by the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) because he passed all the three levels.
Masumba, 31, of NAPSA Housing Units, Ibex Hill, is charged with one count of obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretences contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
But in opening his defence yesterday, Masumba refuted the allegations saying there were not only untrue but also unfounded.
He said this was so because according to his full knowledge, the diploma in contention was awarded to him in an honest manner because he successfully completed the course contrary to NIPA‘s claims that he failed the examinations.
Masumba who produced before court a copy of his statement of results which he said he allegedly struggled to ‘fish’ out from Mwinilunga Trades Training Institute said he qualified in the entire course the reason why he was awarded with the certificate.
He said the statement of result produced by NIPA was not correct because it had a irregularities.
Masumba said contrary to the allegations, he amassed 82 percent in basic accounting level one while in level two he obtained 72 percent and not 38 and 57 percent as was alleged respectively.
He also refuted claims by NIPA that he was absent in some subjects in the third level and maintained that he sat for all the levels.
Masumba said the statement he produced before court was signed by NIPA examiner Clive Kawana whom he would call as one of his two witnesses.
He continues to defend himself on May 9, 2013.
Meanwhile, a witness yesterday told the court that out of the 20 bicycles alleged to have been stolen by deputy Foreign Affairs minister Gabriel Namulambe, only one was retrieved.
This is in a matter in which Namulambe is charged with theft by public servant.
Zambia Police Senior Crime Intelligence Officer Alfred Foloko told Principal Magistrate Wilfred Muma that according to investigations, the bicycles were not delivered to Lufyanyama as planned but were diverted to Namulambe’s constituency in Mpongwe.
Mr Foloko, 36, said around January 2012 a team was constituted to investigate the alleged theft of bicycles at the ministry of Mines.
He said it was later discovered that 20 bicycles had been stolen from the Kitwe bureau.
He said according to investigations, two of the bicycles were given by Namulambe to two employees while the other 18 were delivered to Mpongwe.
He said only one of the two bicycles was retrieved while the other 19 were not.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (left) interacting with his lawyer Jack Mwiimbu
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday asked the a Lusaka Magistrate’s Court not to award any damages to him after
the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mutembo Nchito entered a nolle prosequi in the matter which was scheduled to commence trial yesterday.
Mr Hichilema has advised the State to channel the said damages towards poverty alleviation programmes.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Hichilema said costs for damages were paid from tax payers’ money who were not part of the State’s mistake to arrest him and wondered why he should accept the said damages without any conscious.
Resident Magistrate Boniface Mwiinga discharged discharged Mr Hichilema in a matter in which he was facing an offence of defaming the Republican President.
Magistrate Mwiinga in his ruling said the DPP’s decision to enter a nolle prosequi in the matter was trite Law which could not be challenged but to set the accused person free adding that the State was at liberty to re-arrest him because the court had not acquitted him.
“This matter is closed for now following the DPP’s decision to enter a nolle prosequi under section 81 and 82 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused is set free, he is at liberty but be reminded that a discharge is not an acquittal,” he said.
This was in a case in which Hichilema was charged with one count of defamation of President Michael Sata contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars allege that Hichilema, on January 13, this year, with intent to bring the President into hatred, ridicule and contempt, did publish a defamatory statement which was covered in the Daily Nation of January 14 this year.
Divisional Prosecutions Officer Desmond Mwanza called the matter and informed the court that the State was ready to proceed with trial but had an application to make before the matter could proceed.
“Your honour the accused person is present in court today, and the State is ready to proceed with trial but we want to inform the court that the State has received instructions from the DPP’s chambers to enter a nolle prosequi in the matter,” Mr Mwanza said.
Vice President Guy Scott has urged Zambians in the diaspora to wage a vicious counter campaign against the negative media campaign targeting President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
Dr Scott said it was the responsibility of every Zambian including those living outside the country to speak well about their own country when it comes under unfair attacks.
The Vice President said it was unfortunate that President Sata and PF government have been accused of bad governance record by certain sections of society when it was in fact true that progress has been made in the governance system of the country since the PF came to power in 2011.
Dr Scott cited the issuance of permits to all political players and equal coverage by the media as some of the positive strides scored by the PF government under the leadership of President Michael Sata.
The Vice President was speaking last night at the Zambian High commission when he addressed Zambians living in Kenya during a get together function.
On the appointment of opposition members of parliament into cabinet, Dr Scott explained that they were invited because the PF has the minority numbers in the house adding that the trend was not new as other former presidents like the late Dr Levy Mwanawasa also did the same to strengthen the governance system of the country.
“The appointments of opposition members of parliament are not meant to create a one party state as it is being alleged,” said Dr Scott.
The Vice President also dismissed media reports that campaigns by other political parties have not been going on in the country.
Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Guy Scott said investigations into allegations of corruption by former leaders is a universal trend which was not only happening in Zambia.
In apparent reference to former president Rupiah Banda who is currently undergoing court proceedings for alleged corrupt practices, Dr Scott gave an example of Brazil where former president Lula da Silva is being investigated.
And Dr Scott has assured Zambians living in the diaspora that the constitution road map is being driven by serious people and that the good job they are doing will culminate into a good document by July 2013.
and contributing to a question and answer session, former president Dr Kenneth Kaunda appealed to Zambians in the diaspora not to worry about the constitution road map as it is being handled by a team of able Zambians lead by Justice Annel Silungwe and other honest men and women who should wind up work by end of this year.
“I want to respond on behalf of the vice president the wonderful job being done by the PF back home”, said Dr Kaunda.
A Zambian catholic priest living in Nairobi Father Edeus Kalyepe asked the vice president to shed light on the constitution road – map which he said had lost momentum and was not within the 90 days promise made by the PF during its campaigns before the 2011 elections.
Meanwhile, Finance deputy minister Miles Sampa said government was looking at the possibility of creating an attractive package through which bank accounts could be opened for Zambians living in the diaspora in which they would be contributing funds to help devlop the country.
And president of the Association of Zambians living in Kenya Dr Dennis Mwanza said most of them here are want to come back home as soon as their tours of duty are over.
Among the prominent Zambians working in Kenya are former Copperbelt University vice chanvellor professor Mutale Musonda, former supreme court judge Dr Frederick Chomba, Evangelical Fellowship Church Director for East Africa Rev Dr Japhet Ndhlovu and Civil Society activist Samuel Mulafulafu.
Earlier, Zambian High Commissioner to Kenya Mary Zambezi said the mission in Nairobi had set-up a think tank comprising the prominent Zambians led by Prof Musonda to explore investment opportunities in Kenya to help create jobs and develop the Zambian economy.
