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A man searching for cell phone network signal up a tree
Government has announced that Statutory Instrument No.65 of 2011, which will makes it mandatory for sellers of mobile phone SIM cards and the network operators to capture identity details of persons to whom a sSIM card is sold and the number assigned, will come into force in June 2012.
Transport, works, supply and communication deputy Minister Mwenya Musenge told Parliament today in response to a question by Chipata Central Member of Parliament Reuben Mtolo who wanted to know whether Government is considering introducing compulsory registration of cell phone SIM cards in order to guard against criminal activities.
Mr Musenge said that Government issued Statutory Instrument no.65 of 2011 the Information and Communication Technologies, registration of electronic communication apparatus Regulation 2011.
He explained that once the Statutory Instrument comes into force in June 2012, electronic communications network service providers will be required to maintain an electronic register of individual subscriber information which will include names and physical addresses of subscribers and the serial numbers of the SIM cards.
MMD Lusaka province youth Chairman, Watson Mtonga,
Youths in the de-registered opposition Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) have vowed to protect the existence of the party.
MMD Lusaka province youth Chairman, Watson Mtonga, said MMD youths will do everything possible to protect the existence of the party, which he said is the founding party of democracy in Zambia.
Mtonga tells QFM that the youths are willing and ready to face anyone who will stand in the way of the party.
He says if the deregistration of the party is one way the PF government wants to bring down opposition political parties in the country; the youths will carry out a national match past to demonstrate against the move.
Mtonga said what the PF government is doing is a true reflection that it was never ready to govern the country.
He has also described Chief Registrar of Societies Clement Andeleki as a serious joker.
And MMD youth wing national coordinator Bowman Lusambo has called on the republican president Michael Sata to protect the democracy of the nation.
Mr Lusambo says intimidation of the opposition in the country will kill the hard earned democracy the country has enjoyed over the last two decades.
Mr.Lusambo explains to QFM radio that democracy requires a strong presence of people with divergent political ideas to foster the development of the country.
He has called on the civil society organizations to rise to the challenge and speak out against the ills that are being witnessed in the country.
This month make exactly one year since I returned home to resettle after having spent almost 2 decades in the Diaspora, to be exact, 19 years and 4 months.
Today, I buy myself a large whisky and celebrate my survival, Africa is indeed a jungle and in a very good way. You need to be mentally prepared before you put your foot here. but home is home…. At some stage everything loses meaning as compared to the feeling of being home amongst your people and your family that you love….. I have no regret I made up my mind to resettle back home.
Just bought my first farm, I hope to retire there in about 10 years and not in an OLD AGE HOME…I am 41 years this year.
There are three ways to go back home when you live in the Diaspora,Dead in a Coffin, by deportation or by voluntary re-location. We don’t have control over the first two and they are the easiest, the last one we do have control and is the hardest of them all.
Voluntary resettlement can be due to old age, sickness or you have completed your studies, or you have made your fortune or you are just tired of living in another country… you just want to go home..
How long have you been away?” People asked me year in and year out and the next question would be, how can you stand it, don’t you miss home?
Aren’t you ever going back?”
When you have been living out there for a year, or may be four years,it’s easy to answer that question….. I am going back home definitely,
but, five year is a different story, ten years is another story…twenty years … it looks impossible
Many people will say “Yes, I miss my country, but I find it hard to believe it really is possible to go back home and resettle comfortably. When I first left my country in, I told myself I would be back home in five years or less. Get in, get my degree or earn myself some money and bang.. back home.. Now here I am, am glad am back home,but it took me almost two decades and not five years.
Are you ever going back home? The words send a chill down people’s spine.Everyone has their reasons for leaving their home country—better
education, the promise of a better life, political expediency, etc. It doesn’t matter because when we get there (wherever “there” happens to
be), we are all exiles of some sort. For some, it makes no difference since they have no intention of going back to their countries. They
embrace their new lives to the fullest, infused with self-congratulation and gratitude at the rare moments when they spare a thought for the people and country they left behind; thankful to have escaped the horrors that continue to plague the unfortunate in their homelands.
And then there are those like me, who, even as they build a life in their country of exile, even as they dig deeper and more solid foundations in other lands, cast a longing eye to the homes of their hearts.
We are the “keyboard activists” ( the Blog masters, Musana Wa nzili,THE SAINT, Mushota, MMD Bootlicker, Zedian, Umupondo, Wanu Ngwee,INDEPENDENT OBSERVER, Nubian Princess and many more ) who follow every event in our homelands with breathless anticipation, fingerspoised over keyboards to send words of praise, of chiding, of encouragement, of displeasure, to the numerous online news sites.
We are the perennial protestors and demonstrators, who camp out at our embassies to protest our governments’ policies, who refuse to patronize companies whose operations in our countries are detrimental to the welfare of our fellow citizens. We are the activists, who organize our fellow citizens and encourage them to share in our vision of a better future for our country.We are the doctors, the engineers, the computer scientists, the
lawyers, the students, the accountants, who, even as we sit behind a desk at work or in class or in a research laboratory, ponder on how we
can use our knowledge and expertise to benefit our countries, better still, how can we go back home after so long?
Yet, tinged with the hope and the desire to return is the mouth-drying, nausea-inducing Fear. The dread of finding out that we don’t fit in anymore with “our” people and in “our” society (How many friends do we have left? How many people can we relate to?). The fright of realizing that we’ve been gone too long and everything has changed beyond our ability to cope. The terror of acknowledging that we have become too used to the customs and conveniences of our adopted nations, the horror of giving in to the panicky voice inside us that says we can’t make a difference. The more we desire to achieve a level where we can affect the outcome of things in our countries, the deeper we find ourselves enmeshed into the fabric of life in the hands of our exile.
My sisters and brothers, it is possible to go back home and resettle.What we all need to do is plan carefully, as what we want to do when we get back home… do you want to start a business? Do you want to go into politics or charity work?
The exposure you have so far acquired can help your country be a better place for our future generation, we can’t all make million of dollars to take back home but we can all positively contribute to the development of our countries.. Africa needs you.
The name of the game is contacts. Being over there puts us at a major disadvantage because we’re out of the loop. Spending some time working
for someone else before branching out on own covers you somewhat because you can use the time to develop your own contacts. You could
also find a local partner who has the prerequisite knowledge and understanding of the system, though it may be very tough to find honest partners.
Look for like-minded people anywhere, everywhere. There are lots of people around who think the way you do, just looking for the right contacts, the right person, or the right project to come along.
I know, always, accompanying this maze of terrors, is the bigger, less acknowledged fear that in a five to ten years we will be too old to
resettle back home… Have no such fear, it is possible, age or your financial situation should not be an issue.
But you need to ask yourself a few questions and answer them as honestly as you can to yourself, reflect on them and give yourself a minimum of 2 years on the plan to resettle back home….
Some question to reflect on would be..
1. Is it possible to really go back home?
2. What should I do to prepare?
3. How long should I plan?
4. What happens with my citizenship in my adopted country?
5. How does my spouse fit in?
6. What do we do with our children?
7. Should I go into business or should I start my own business, or should I become a politician or join the government?
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy ScottVice President Guy Scott says it will be interesting to chance naked protesting MMD women led by their Women Chairperson Catherine Namugala.
QFM News reports that Dr Scott who sent Parliament into laughter was responding to a question by Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Davies Mwaango during the vice president’s question time who wanted to know the government position is on plans by MMD women to march to State house tomorrow naked in protest against the deregistration of the MMD.
The Vice President also said that it will be interesting to discover what the law enforcement officers make of the term indecent exposure.
According to the law, undressing in public is a criminal offence which falls under indecent exposure and would attract Police action against.
Meanwhile Dr Scott says he expects the Rodger Chongwe Commission report on the Mongu riots to be in the public domain within one month.
The vice president who was reluctant to give a definite answer on the matter was responding to a question by Itezhi tezhi Member of Parliament Greyford Monde who wanted to know when the report will be availed to the public.
Clement Sinyinda in traditional gear Ngambela of Barosteland
The date for long awaited Barotse National Council (BNC) in Western Province is scheduled to hold on the 25th of March 2012.
Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Premier Ngambela Clement Sinyinda announced the date on Wednesday night on two community radio stations namely Lyambai and Liseli respectively.
Ngambela Sinyinda said the BNC will be held for three days at Limulunga royal village adding that attendance will be strictly by invitation.
And Western Province Police Commissioner Farnwell Siandenge has cautioned members of the public against inciting violence during the meeting.
Mr. Siandenge said that police officers will be sent to Limulunga on the material day to help maintain law and order during the BNC proceedings saying anyone found inciting violence will not be entertained.
“The presence of police officers will be there to help maintain law and order during the proceedings, So people should not take advantage of this very important meeting to try and create confusion” the commissioner said.
He said the service working hand in hand with the BRE security guards have already put all necessary security measures in place to ensure that the proceedings of the meeting are peaceful.
Mr. Siandenge has since appealed to members of the public who wish to attend the meeting to have a sober mind and follow the proceedings peacefully.
Co-operatives, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Emmanuel Chenda yesterday announced that the initial sanitary permit for Shoprite Stores to import chickens has been revoked. The minister said this in a ministerial statement to parliament in response to the point of order raised by Mazabuka UPND member of Parliament, Garry Nkombo.
Mr Chenda disclosed that the permit to Shoprite was issued by a middle management officer who did not seek clearance with his supervisors and has been reprimanded.
Mr Chenda said Government would only allow the importation of chickens if there is a deficit and the decision has to be agreed by all stakeholders.
“I wish to assure this House that the ministry will be vigilant when it comes to issuance of import or export permits. We will remain totally committed to national interest, while respecting international protocols on trade. We will ensure that our farmers and consumers are protected,” Mr Chenda said.
Mr Chenda said the ministry has an elaborate process of issuing import and exports permits, adding that the first step involves consultations with stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
The second step involves verification of the safety of the products by the Veterinary Department, for possible disease infection from exporting countries.
Mr Chenda explained that the Veterinary Department only issues an import permit in accordance with the Animal Health Act number 24 of 2010 and international protocols on animal disease control upon establishing that the products satisfy the import conditions.
“The third part of the import permit process is the issuance of an agricultural import permit by the department of agribusiness and marketing under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in accordance with the Control of Goods Act Cap 421 volume 24 of the Laws of Zambia.
“It is at this stage that economic considerations are made before the agricultural permit is issued. Considerations include import volumes, impact on domestic production and the sector as a whole. The permit is stopped at this level if it has negative economic consequences,” he said.
He said Shoprite Stores had applied for a sanitary permit for the importation of 75 metric tonnes of chickens, which is less than two weeks of its sales because they sell an average of 60 metric tonnes per week.
Mr Chenda said the next step was for Shoprite to apply for an agriculture import permit but the chain store did not do so and that the final import permit was not granted to them and no chickens were imported.
“I must state that no consultation was made with stakeholders and as a result, we have revoked the initial sanitary import permit,” he said.
And Mazabuka MP, in a attempt to prove that imported chickens are already on the market, smuggled a chicken in his jacket and later laid it on the table of the House, after raising a point of order .
However, speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini said Mr Chenda had qualified his statement that “as far as he was aware, there were no chickens being imported into the country”.
THE prosecution has urged the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court to find former Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato with a case to answer and put him on his defence.
Liato is charged with one count of receiving or retaining stolen property contrary to the Laws of Zambia, the offence which is in connection with the K2.1 billion found buried at his Lusaka West farmhouse.
Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito said in a written submission filed in Lusaka on Wednesday that Liato should be put on his defence because he has committed an offence.
“On the basis that the prosecution only has to prove its case on a balance of probabilities, we submit that the same has been done in that the accused person had colossal sums of money buried in the ground.
“This money did not come from any of his known source of income. On that basis, we submit that he has committed the offence as charged,” Mr Nchito said.
He said evidence of the prosecution is reliable because it has not been discredited in any way during cross-examination by the defence.
Mr Nchito said it is the prayer of the prosecution that Liato is put on his defence.
He said it is clear from the evidence on record that Liato is in possession of K2.1 billion which is in issue an the case.
Particulars of the offence are that Liato on unknown dates but between September 1 and November 24, 2011 in Lusaka received and or retained (K2.1 billion) knowing or having reasons to believe the same has been feloniously stolen, taken, extorted, obtained or disposed of.
THE Small-Scale Mining Association of Zambia (SSMAZ) will inject about US$200 million in the development of 16 dump sites on the Copperbelt, which will create more than 4,000 job opportunities for young Zambians.
Small-Scale Mining Association of Zambia (SSMAZ) president Simon Njovu confirmed this in an interview in Kitwe on Wednesday.
“We intend to invest US$200 million in the development of dump sites on the Copperbelt and we are happy that Government will allow us to start working on the dump sites. We are appealing to the people of Wusakile, Luangwa and other townships to remain calm as Government addresses their problems,” he said.
Mr Njovu said the association is happy that Government has shown commitment to empowering Zambians with various income-generating projects.
He said SSMAZ is working with various stakeholders, including Government, to reduce unemployment levels in the country.
“We will use the dump sites for their intended purpose and we will ensure that Zambians benefit from these projects,” Mr Njovu said.
He called on his members to be calm and support Government programmes intended to eradicate poverty in the communities.
Mr Njovu also called on young people to desist from engaging in activities that are detrimental to their development.
“Young people should stay very far from trouble and ensure that they are not tempted by greedy people to do wrong things. These jobs we are creating are for them because they are the majority in our communities,” Mr Njovu said.
He said his association is concerned about the high number of young people who are jobless in various communities.
“We all have a duty to contribute positively to the social and economic development of the country by creating job opportunities for our young people.
“We must not leave the burden of creating jobs to Government alone. It is the responsibility of everyone, including the private sector, to come up with job opportunities for Zambians,” Mr Njovu said.
Former Republican President Rupiah Banda said that he feels sorry for the people that believed the Patriotic Front campaign promise of developing Zambia in 90 days.
Mr Banda said that he is not surprised that the Patriotic Front has failed to honor its 90 days development plan. He said that for the PF government to move in the area of development, it should ensure that it builds on the structures the MMD left.
Mr Banda said that he has never bothered to castigate the PF government on some of the promises it made to the people of Zambia because he knew they were never achievable.
And Mr Banda has charged that had the PF government consulted him on the Barotseland agreement, it wouldn’t have found itself in the current situation.
The former president said that it is a pity that no one from the Patriotic Front bothered to consult him on the progress the MMD made on the Barotseland agreement.
He said that the MMD made some headways on the Barotseland and government was supposed to consult him on the matter.
Meanwhile, the former president has urged young Zambians to ensure that they protect the country. He said that though the challenges facing the youth such as unemployment have persisted, his government tried its best to ensure that young people were embraced in national matters.
And Mr. Banda has explained why he broke down during his farewell speech to nation following his defeat in the elections. The former head of state explained that he got emotional especially after thinking about the people who would lose jobs as a result of his defeat.
He said he enjoyed working for the people of Zambia and that he will always miss that.
Young Leaders Alliance, a Youth Non Governmental Organisation(NGO) is uncomfortable with the move by the US-based Carter Centre to engage, former Zambian president, Rupiah Banda to lecture Democracy in the USA.
The Youth NGO feels the engagement is primarily premised on the fact that the Center is acting in grave inconsistence with their guiding and fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.
It is also strongly felt that the center is additionally driven by the desire to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy among other tenets of democratic governance.
In a statement Young Leaders Alliance president, Pharaoh Mwanza strongly criticizes the move alleging that Mr. Banda did not fully live up to the tenets of democratic governance during the time that he was Zambia’s president.
Mr. Mwanza adds that since the Carter Center also stands for the protection of human rights, it would be interesting to know what they make of the January 14 killings in Mongu presided over by Mr. Banda’s government against un-armed citizens who were exercising their freedom of expression.
Former Drug Enforcement Commission spokesperson John Nyawali
A joint team of investigative wings has summoned former Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Chief investigations officer, John Nyawali for questioning over a scam involving gold worth about seven-million-United States dollars.
Mr. Nyawali, who doubled, as the Commission’s spokesperson joins a catalogue of high profiled former Government officials to be quizzed in connection with the Gold.
This is according to sources familiar with the development. He is expected to appear before law enforcement officers at the former Task Force on Corruption offices in Woodlands Extension on Monday, 19th March, 2012.
When contacted he was not available for comment.
Zambia’s newly-elected President Michael Sata recently linked Former President, Rupiah Banda, his son James and former press aide, Dickson Jere to the gold scam that was irregularly sold.
The gold was seized from two Zimbabwean nationals in 2007 when they entered Zambia in an attempt to evade Zimbabwean authorities.
Zambia prosecuted the Zimbabweans and jailed them.
While the forfeited 119-kilograme gold was under the custody of the commission, it went missing.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said that the registrar of societies has no powers to nullify any parliamentary seat. LAZ President, James Banda, said that the decision to deregister and nullify MMD parliamentary seats was rushed, irresponsible and not in the public interest.
Mr. Banda said that the registrar’s decision was excessive. He said that discretionary power granted to the registrar of society does not make it mandatory for him to de-register an erring organization.
Mr. Banda said that such powers must be used in public interest. He noted that MMD is the largest opposition political party with more than fifty parliamentary seats and that de-registering it is not in public interest as it undermines democracy.
Mr. Banda added that the registrar could have referred the matter to the Attorney General to treat any alleged amount due from MMD as a debt and commence proceedings for the recovery of the said money owing..
Meanwhile, the former ruling Party has sought legal redress against the de-registration. MMD Secretary General Major Richard Kachingwe through party lawyers Hobday Kabwe and George Kunda has asked the high court to declare its deregistration null and void.
In its application for leave to apply for judicial review against the registrar of societies’ move to de-register it, the MMD through its lawyers is asking the high court to declare as illegal and unreasonable the nullification of its 53 parliamentary seats.
The MMD is seeking judicial review of the Registrar of societies’ move to de-register it, charging that it has duly paid all statutory obligations and has filed the requisite returns and notices as required under the societies act.
They have further asked the high court to quash the said decision and prohibit the registrar of society from levying illegal charges on the party. The MMD has since declared a dispute with the registrar of societies regarding the payment of statutory fees for its branches.
The party further claims that by effecting the cancellation and nullification of the 53 MMD parliamentary seats the registrar of societies amounts to usurping the powers if the high court which is the competent forum to nullify the election of an MP.
The MMD also claims that there is no legal requirement under the societies act for a political party which is registered at national level to register branches separately.
And Movement for Multiparty Democracy-MMD National Chairperson for Women Affairs Catharine Namugala has threatened that women in the beleaguered party countrywide will stage a naked protest on Saturday should the Registrar of Societies fail to heed the party’s call to rescind the decision.
Speaking soon after former President Rupiah Banda’s Press conference held at his residence near State Lodge in Lusaka today, Ms. Namugala told journalist that MMD women will not sit idle and watch willful assault on Zambia’s democracy.
She alleged that Zambia’s democracy was under threat under the Patriotic Front Government and warned that MMD women were ready to go to prison in defense of the former ruling party from de-registration.
Ruff Kid has been in the Zambian music industry for a decade and still going strong. With an energetic and strong stage presence and controversial approach to the music and entertainment industry Ruff Kid has proved himself to be one of the big names in the music industry
Born Masautso Nkhoma on March 17, 1986, Ruff Kid grew up in kitwe, in Cha cha cha township. He was the 1st born in the family of three . The young rapper was raised by his mother, Getrude Nkhoma, as a single parent, with no help from the father who left early in their lives.
In his third grade Ruff Kid was sent to the village Eastern province by his mother, and whilst there, the likes of Tu-pac Shakur influenced him to get into rap. Because of the rough childhood and suffering he went through, he decide to name himself Ruff Kid, a name that will always depict and remind him of his hard life as an adolescent. He attend Nyanje Primary School as a junior. He later completed high school as a Chongwe High School graduate.
Ruff Kid turned to rap at a very young age as an escape from the kind of life he was living and the poverty he was facing. In 2000 he met Mainza Chipenzi and recorded his first big record Wekatemwikwa which later opened alot of doors to his career. The record Wekatemwikwa went to number 1 on the African international music charts on Channel O , on the Urban Massive show. His 1st album “All 4 U” was released by Dream Records owned by the Muya Lungu and distributed by Zambia Angola Malawi Music Organisation(ZAMMO).
He later got signed by Joe Chibanga to release his second album titled “Matured”. This album made him tour the Southern Africa, performing alongsides big names like Kabelo, Oliver Mutukuzi, Yvone Chakachaka, Jozi, Zola, etc..
In 2006 he release his 3rd album “Most Wanted” which had hits like Chita, bwete, Mwechilibwe, and the most controversial Chikalalila. The song “Chikalalila” caused alot of controverse in Zambia and other neighbouring countries because of the names of various artists that were mentioned in the record. The song revealed alot of truths about a number of artists private lives
Rapper and Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Ruff Kid won the Born and Bred Award for Best Hip-hop video, CBC Music video Award, Radio Awards. Also known for the most controversial song Chikalalila produced by Raydo, released 2007.After winning peoples hearts with countless hits, ruff kid went on to form his own Record label KANG’ONO ENTERTAINMENT.
MC Wabwino adopted Ruff Kid as his son so he could put him under his protection and guidance. Despite the controverse, Ruff Kid’s name grew even bigger.
Currently, Ruff kid is working on his fourth long awaited album titled “Point Blank” scheduled to be released late 2012.
Kapa187: You have been i the music industry for a long time . How have you managed to keep your music relevant and fresh? Ruff Kid: To grow musically and also get ideas and creativity from those around me and in society.
Kapa187:What changes have you observed in the music industry since you started ?
Ruff Kid: When I started recording studio’s were extremely hard to find, by then there were maybe only two or so, and we had to work hard. Walk miles per day, try to talk to then big producers and artists.
Now things have changed a lot. You can pay a sum to go and record, and with the internet and socialnetworks, everything has become easier. Now we’ve more rappers in the game and the industry more has broaden up a lot.
Kapa187: Do you think zambian music is moving in the right direction?
Ruff Kid:I think so, it is defintely moving and progressing. We now have a variety of artists in the music industry working on their own work and we’re getting more recognition.
Kapa187:You are currently working on your new album .What is it called and what can your fans expect from it?
Ruff Kid: My album is set to drop mid this year. It’ll be called “Best of Ruff Kid Vol 1.” It is a celebration of my career. I’ve been in this industry for a decade now and I want to give my fans something to celebrate and my appreciation for the support and love through the years.
Kapa187:How will the new album differ from your previous ones.
Ruff Kid: This album will show the growth and development that I’ve made as an artist. It will of course include the Ruff Kid tunes but also something very different.
Kapa187:You have been described as “the zambian lil wayne” , are influenced by his style ? Do you think that comparison will hinder you from making it big internationally
Ruff Kid: I am not the Zambian Lil Wayne, I am Ruff Kid. We all are somehow influenced a bit of what is currently out there but how you take that and make it your own is every rappers success. I am and will always be myself, locally or internationally. I do not think that it will hinder me because Ruff Kidd has been all about music and progress for a decade now,
Kapa187:You will be releasing your single “Wilayivinyola” on the 17th of march. Describe the sound of the song.
>Ruff Kid: The song has the Southern African influence of Kwaito but it also has the undertone of our Zambian music. It is a feel good song. An uptempo, club song.
Kapa187: What has been the best moment in your music career so far. Ruff Kid:This year is one of them. A decade in the industry and still going is a big accomplishment. The awards I’ve won and the times I’ve gotten to travel outside Zambia to see how far my music reaches and to see how music brings people together to just let go and feel good.
Kapa187: Were will Ruff Kid be in 10 years .
Ruff Kid:10 years? The sky is not the limit and there is so much to be done. You’ll just have to wait and see.
Kapa187:Is there is anything your fans will be surprised to know about you.
Ruff Kid: I am just an average man making the most of his life on earth and living out my dreams
Kapa187:Any last words for your fans Ruff Kid: I have said this before and I’ll say it again.
“It is about faith, if you believe it, you can achieve it.
Don’t be sacred to being judged or criticized because that is what makes and builds you.”
Traffic and businesses were disrupted this morning in Chingola when residents took to streets to demonstrate over the deplorable state of roads in Chingola.Once known as the Cleanest town in the Copperbelt during the ZCCM days,Chingola is now a far cry from what it used to be.
Standards of living have drastically dropped despite to the booming mine industry.Trucks transporting materials to and fro the mines continue to damage roads that are clearly not designed to withstand such loads and road accidents due to heavy presence of trucks are the order of the day.
The worst roads are from town centre to Nchanga North Hospital,Central street in Kabundi South,from boma round about to Konkola road and Lulamba and Kasompe roads.
Residents this morning littered and blocked roads with rocks and stones.A heavy police presence averted the riot as youths started throwing stones.
Some residents who have lived in the copperbelt for over 20 years complained at how standards of living in mining towns have deteriorated since ZCCM.
‘Our roads are impassable and heavy congested.Its also nightmare sharing roads with these trucks and the number of accidents on our roads keeps going up.There are no road repairs going on.Who do we turn to?’one resident lamented.
A resident also complained about water and sewerage services in Chingola
‘A private company took over supply of water from the Council.Since then we have erratic water supply. Supply is not consistant during the day.We are not given information on impending shortage or interruption.The only customer care is announcements of cutting water supply due to late payment of bills
Reported defects are not attended to promptly, quite often promises are never kept.’
‘Gabbage collection is done by another allied organization. They are supposed to collect gabbage on particular days but quite often as much as three weeks pass without collection or information as to why they cannot collect.Vehicles were bought for councils for “keep clean” campaigns but they are just used as person-to-holder vehicles and do nothing to address refuse issues in the townships,’the resident complained.
