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Ruling Patriotic Front Chairperson for Local government and Housing Given Lubinda has dismissed reports linking him to individuals jostling for the party Presidency in 2016 if President Michael Sata rules out the possibility of seeking re-election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Qfm, Mr. Lubinda trashed the assertions stating that he will remain committed to serving Kabwata residents.
Mr. Lubinda who is also Foreign Affairs and tourism minister explained that such speculations lack merit.
He said he has no intentions of challenging for the party presidency stating that his loyalty is to the people in his constituency.
An online publication has singled out Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, PF Secretary General Winter Kabimba, and Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda as those eying the PF presidency following President Sata’s indication that he might not go re-election in 2016.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lubinda has reiterated his government’s commitment to creating employment for the majority youths in the country.
He has since urged the youths in the country to take advantage of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which he says is creating employment opportunities in various skills for the young people.
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has expressed disappointment at the mobile telecommunication company, MTN Zambia’s decisions to deduct some money for every recharge of credit that its clients buy to donate to the Zambia national soccer team for winning the just ended 2012 African Cup of Nations co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
ZACA Executive Director Muyunda Ililonga said it was wrong for MTN to spend customers’ money without their consent adding that the move was against the fundamental consumer rights.
Mr. Ililonga said MTN was a big company that should use its profits to donate to the team instead of forcing poor customers to donate the little money they have without their prior approval.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that if MTN wishes to donate to the national team for making the country proud by lifting the African Cup, the company should emulate First Quantum Minerals (FQM) who donated money to the team from the profits it makes as part of their social corporate responsibility.
[pullquote]If MTN wishes to donate to the national team for making the country proud by lifting the African Cup, the company should emulate First Quantum Minerals (FQM) who donated money to the team from the profits it makes as part of their social corporate responsibility.[/pullquote]
He urged MTN to stop the promotion forthwith, adding that the consumer body will investigate the matter and ensure that the mobile telecommunication company ceases to take advantage of the poor consumers.
Mr. Ililonga however urged customers who have no problem with the promotion to continue using the network provider but advised those who feel otherwise should switch to other networks.
Telecommunication mobile company MTN is currently running a promotion aimed at raising funds for the Chipolopolo by deducting a certain amount of money from every mobile top up credit which consumers buy as a way of appreciating the national football team for winning the continental soccer title.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has urged Airtel Zambia to consider reducing the cost of making calls on their network so that Zambians can utilise their phones for business purposes and not for mere luxury.
Mr. Mukanga said Airtel should strive to reach a level where all Zambians are able to make business calls on this network thereby using the phones as necessities to improve their living standards.
He said government would want the mobile service provider to invest more in technology so that calls can be cheaper for Zambians.
He noted that government has reduced the cost of doing business in Zambia and therefore expects service providers to do the same so that the benefits can trickle down to the common Zambians who use phones every day.
The Minister was speaking shortly after he toured Airtel head office to familiarise himself with the operations of the giant telecommunication service provider.
Mr. Mukanga stated that government will welcome all investors who will do businesses that are aimed at benefiting Zambians and urged the company to improve the conditions of service for its employees.
And Airtel Managing Director Fayaz King emphasised the importance of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) advancement his company has made to improve the quality of service delivery to its clients.
Mr. Fayaz said ICT in mobile communication have significantly transformed the lives of people adding that his company believes in improvement of every person’s quality of life.
He noted that there was a positive correlation between investment in ICTs and economic growth saying his company will continue investing in ICT and work closely with government to improve people’s lives.
Airtel recently undertook a 3.75G network roll out, an investment which is expected to contribute to the country’s economic growth by increasing efficiency, productivity and reduce the cost of doing business.
Zambia could be heading back to Libreville soon just weeks after winning the Africa Cup.
According to Faz, Zambia is courting Gabon over the prospect of playing them in a friendly match on February 29.
“We want to go back t say thank you to the people of Gabon,” Faz communications offer Erick Mwanza said.
“They looked after us very well during the Africa Cup and they were always supporting the Chipolopolo and to show our appreciation we have to give them a game.”
Libreville is home of Zambia’s greatest football triumph where on February 12 they beat Cote d’Ivoire on post-match penalties to win their debut Africa Cup title.
WEEKEND SCORECARD
18/02/2012
CAF Confederation Cup , Preliminary Round, 1st Leg, 1st Round Tie
Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka
Red Arrows 0-Royal Leopards (Swaziland) 0
18/02/2012
2012 FIFA Under-20 Womens World Cup 1st Round, 1st Leg Qualifier
File: Nurses administering care during Child Health week programme
A human rights organization has expressed concern at revelations on the continued use of unqualified personnel such as Security Guards and Cleaners to attend and administer medicines to patients in both Private and Government Clinics and health Posts.
Hope for Human Rights executive director Smart Chanda says the trend should be a source of worry to the Government and should be stopped with immediate effect as it puts the lives of the patients in danger.
Mr. Chanda says Article 25 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; which instruments are both ratified by Zambia declare Health and Health Care as a fundamental right to every human being.
He has therefore stated that it is expedient that the Government strives to provide the best Health services to its people.
Mr. Chanda says it is negligence of the worst kind on the part of government to have allowed the situation reach such levels where unqualified personnel are allowed to be attending to patients and administer medicines.
He has since called for the inclusion of Economical, Social and Cultural Rights in the new constitution so that successive governments are held squarely responsible for such omissions in future.
And Deputy Minister of Health Patrick Chikusu has stressed that no untrained health personnel will be allowed to attend to patients.
He said it is unprofessional for any unqualified health personnel to administer health care services to patients saying the trend poses health risks to the citizenry.
Dr. Chikusu was on a familiarisation tour of health infrastructure in Northern Province in an effort to make health personnel realign themselves to the heath care policy of the new Patriotic Front government.
Meanwhile, government has said that a competent and motivated health workforce has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of the country.
Dr. Chikusu said government will do everything possible to motivate the health personnel in the country.
Dr. Chikusu said it was in this vein that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has increased the budgetary allocation to the health sector in the 2012 national budget in order to motivate health workers.
He said government was also working on modalities of paying all the outstanding arrears owed to the health personnel in the country.
The Deputy Minister said this when he addressed health workers at Kasama General Hospital in Kasama recently.
And Dr. Chikusu has disclosed that government will this year employ a total of 2, 500 health personnel countrywide to beef up the number of health staff in the country.
Dr. Chikusu further said government has also reintroduced in-service training so that the heath sector can have competent and specialized personnel to attend to specific diseases in all health centres across the country.
The Deputy Minister further said the retention of health personnel both from within the country and abroad will be made practical due to government’s seriousness to address the needs of all health personnel in the country.
File: PF Guy Scott kneels before Chieftainess Malembeka during the Kwilimuna ceremony of the Lamba people of the Copperbelt last year
President Michael Sata has delegated His Honour the Vice-President Dr Guy Scott to grace the 2012 Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province.
President Sata was invited by His Royal Highness Inkosi Yamankosi Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV to officiate at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony which is scheduled for next week, February 25, 2012 in Chipata.
However, the Head of State has formally notified Paramount Chief Mpezeni and the entire Ngoni Royal Establishment of his unavailability for this significant ritual due to other national commitments.
The President reaffirmed his Government’s enthusiasm to promoting and safeguarding tradition and culture.
“Traditional ceremonies such as the Nc’wala undeniably inhabit a very distinctive segment in the long-standing history of our country and its friendly populace. As they manifest the Zambian people’s social life, rituals and age-old traditions,” President Sata said.
And Vice-President Scott will be accompanied by Hon. Geoffrey Mwamba (Defence minister), Hon. Given Lubinda (Foreign Affairs minister), Hon. Prof. Nkandu Luo (Local Government minister), Hon. Fackson Shamenda (Information minister), Hon. Sebastian Zulu (Justice minister) and Hon. Inonge Wina (Minister for Chiefs and Traditional Affairs).
Others are Hon. Charles Banda (provincial minister Eastern Province), Hon. Forrie Tembo (Information deputy minister), Hon. Effron Lungu (Foreign Affairs deputy minister), Hon. Isaac Banda (Mines deputy minister), Hon. Nicholas Banda (Agriculture deputy minister) and Hon. Col. Joseph Lungu (Defence deputy minister).
Kenyan High Commissioner to Zambia Kipiego Cheluget has categorically refuted media reports suggesting that fugitive Henry Banda, son of former Republican President Rupiah Banda is being harboured at the State House in Nairobi.
Mr. Cheluget has since demanded for an apology from the Post Newspapers for publishing the story in question.
He said the claims are false and unfounded adding that such continued speculations may unnecessarily be injurious to the good relations between Zambia and Kenya.
He says claiming that the Kenyan first family is harboring Henry, is belittling the dignity of President Mwai Kibaki.
Mr. Cheluget said that Henry Banda used passports number ZP005673, ZP005193 and ZP005131 when he previously visited Kenya.
Mr. Cheluget has however indicated that the Kenyan government has checked the records at entry points and has ascertained that Henry left that country on November 23rd 2011 via Jomo Kenyatta international Airport and has since not returned.
Mr. Cheluget has therefore stressed that the relevant Kenyan government security machinery have been mobilized to have Henry arrested whenever and wherever he is spotted in Kenya.
The Kenyan High Commissioner has further urged the media to verify information gathered before publishing it stating that such wild claims are detrimental to the co-existence of the two countries.
With selfish individuals stealing money from RDA its no wonder we get roads like this in Zambia.File picture of road in Kashikishi
An accountant at the Road Development Agency (RDA) in Kasama has disappeared after withdrawing K131.5 million through a company which he allegedly created for money laundering activities.
The accountant, Ernest Chibuye was under investigation by the Northern Province task force on corruption that has seized property during investigations.
Northern Province task force chairperson, Mary Chikwanda said Mr Chibuye was alleged to have created a company where money was being paid by RDA without any work being done.
Mr Chibuye was interrogated and arrested by the team last month which forwarded his file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“When the file came and authority was granted for us to prosecute, we discovered that his house had been deserted and all his mobile numbers are unreachable. “We have checked at the RDA headquarters in Lusaka and they are not aware of his whereabouts,” Ms Chikwanda said.
Ms Chikwanda, who is Northern Province police commissioner, said the team released Mr Chibuye on police bond because he had a fixed abode, but it was now clear that he had allegedly run away to evade prosecution.
“We have now decided to put him on the wanted list because it is clear that he is running away,” Ms Chikwanda said.
In December, Mr Chibuye was suspended from RDA in connection with the money paid from RDA to a company called Ertafa General Dealers without seeking authority from his superiors.
She said her team was also pursuing cases of K1.6 billion and K400 million paid to a bogus company for projects whose works had never been undertaken.
This was shortly after the team seized properties including houses, a building complex and luxury vehicles worth billions of Kwacha from Government officials in Kasama.
During the investigations, it was discovered that K3 billion had not been accounted for by some Government officials.
The investigative team comprises officials from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Drug Enforcement Commission and the Zambia Police Service and was tasked to look into allegations of theft, fraud, illegal tendering and corruption.
Ms Chikwanda, at the start of the investigations, said the team had unearthed financial scams involving Government officials that were allegedly perpetrated by the?previous administration.
The task force was constituted by Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Mwamba.
Patrotic Front youths after Sata won the presidential elections.
Dear Bloggers,
A Mob of PF Carders had attacked our houses during the September elections of 2011 simply because some of our family members belong to MMD.Even though we have recognized some of the vandals and reported this to the police, no one has been prosecuted and no compensation has been forthcoming to date only promises.We still have pictures on how our homes were damaged. We stay in Chifubu because we are poor, now with our poorness someone comes to destroy and burn our homes and yet the governement which claims to be the government of the people is not helping us at all.
Now we are still living in fear, for whenever we go to the police to ask if at all we will be compensated they are just giving us promises.
We opened the docket with Chifubu Police Station but up to now nothing has been done. I personally wrote to ba Panji Kaunda who promised to do the follow ups but up to now. I could have sent the pictures but meanwhile for security reasons I will keep them.
Zambian football fans stranded at the airport in Gabon because the Zambian protocol officers failed to arrange a smooth itinerary
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Zambian football fans and their counterparts from Ivory Coast jeer each other when the two sides arrived in Gabon
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Football fans from Ivory Coast doing the donchi kubeba sign when they arrived in Gabon.
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Deputy secretary to the Cabinet Teddy Mulonga (l) and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili (c) take Zambia’s chief of protocol only identified as Nkumbula (r) to task after Zambian football fans were stranded at the airport in Gabon
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A motorcade for Zambian dignitaries leaves the airport in Gabon
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Football fans leave the airport on a shuttle bus in Libreville Gabon
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The beach on the Atlantic Ocean where the Zambia National Soccer team perished in a Zambia Air Force plane in 1993
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British Broadcasting Corporation's Steve Vickers interviews Zambians football supporters outside the venue for the final match against Ivory Coast
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Zambian football fans make their way into the stadium for the Orange final match against Ivory Coast
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Football fans from Gabon cheering the Chipolopolo boys with Zambian supporters
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Singer Dandy Crazy watching the Orange AFCON final game between Zambia and Ivory Coast
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Singer Dandy Crazy cheering the Chipolopolo boys at the Orange AFCON final in Gabon
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Chipolopolo Football fans patron Yotam Mwanza and other supporters in a pensive mood after Ivory Coast was awarded a penalty which Didier Drogba later failed to convert
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A football fan takes to prayers after Ivory Coast was awarded a penalty shoot, which Didier Drogba later failed to convert
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Zambian football fans celebrating after Ivory Coasts’ Didier Drogba failed to convert a penalty kick.
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Zambian football fans celebrating after Ivory Coasts’ Didier Drogba failed to convert a penalty kick
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Zambian football supporters cheering the Chipolopolo boys during the AFCON final match against Ivory Coast
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A Zambian soccer team supporter in the cheering mood at the Orange AFCON final in Gabon
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Vanquished…football fans from Ivory Coast watch the game after their team was out played by Zambia
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Vanquished…football fans from Ivory Coast watch the game after their team was out played by Zambia
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Zambia football fans react after Ivory Coast attempted to score against Zambia
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Zambian football fans jeer Ivory Coasts’ Solomon Kalou as he was substituted
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A football fan takes to prayers during the penalty shoot outs
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The Chipolopolo goal keeper Kennedy Mweene hoists the Zambian flag after lifting the Orange AFCON trophy
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The Chipolopolo boys celebrating after lifting the Orange AFCON trophy
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The Chipolopolo boys hoist the Zambia flag after lifting the Orange AFCON trophy
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Zambia’s assistant goal keeper Kalililo Kakonje celebrating after Zambia lifted the Orange AFCON trophy
A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD girl was at the weekend defiled and strangled to death by a 33-year-old man in Chibombo District in Central Province.
The girl, identified as Brilliant Muyuwa, is alleged to have been defiled and strangled around 02:00 hours on Saturday by Kelvin Musopela.
The man allegedly “sneaked” into the house as the girl’s parents and other members of the family were attending a funeral within Chibombo District.
Musopela allegedly defiled the girl repeatedly and later strangled her as she struggled in vain to get out of his grip. He later got the body and dumped it 10 metres from the house.
Central Province commissioner of police Solomon Jere confirmed the incident which occurred at Musopela Village in Keembe Constituency.
Dr Jere said Musopela was apprehended before he could flee and handed over to the police, who have since detained him.
In Mumbwa, a 51-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her husband after she refused to get back to the matrimonial home following their separation.
Dr Jere said police investigations revealed that the woman, identified as Leya Banda, left the matrimonial home some months ago after differences with her husband, Kelinson Maambo in Chief Shakumbila’s area.
He said Mr Maambo on Saturday followed his wife who was at the time busy in her cotton field.
He asked her to get back home but she refused and this incensed him.
He allegedly produced a knife and stabbed her several times in her chest and other parts of the body, killing her instantly.
Villagers who heard a woman cry for help rushed to the scene only to find her lying in a pool of blood.
Some villagers attempted to give chase but failed to get hold of Mr Maambo.
[Times of Zambia]
They later spotted him taking a quick bath at a nearby stream but after seeing that he was being followed, he ran away leaving his clothes behind.
A civil society organisation has called on Government to pump money in Government Printers to enable the printing firm to print ballot papers.
Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) Executive Director Richwell Mulwani said Government Printers has the potential to print ballot papers if it is funded adequately.
Mr Mulwani told Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the company has in the previous printed important documents which demonstrates its capacity of printing ballot papers as well.
He said Zambia has set a good example in the region through conducting peaceful and free elections hence the need for the country to consider printing ballot papers locally.
Mr Mulwani noted that the printing of ballot papers locally would increase credibility of holding elections and reduce suspicions among political players.
He said the development could also promote transparency in the printing process and give political players an opportunity to monitor the process.
Mr Mulwani also added that the move to print ballot papers locally will greatly assist in reducing cost of having them printed in South Africa.
He wondered why the Election Commission of Zambia (ECZ) should continue printing ballot papers outside the country when the country has the capacity to print the ballot papers locally.
Mr Mulwani said it is high time the local printing firm was empowered unlike empowering foreign printing firms.
He further called on the government to consider funding Government Printers so that the institution is able to print the 2016 general elections.
THE Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) says it does not take negative remarks made by its former national secretary Katele Kalumba about the party seriously.
MMD national secretary Michael Mabenga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the former ruling party does not pay attention to Dr Kalumba’s statements because he is not in the administrative structure of the party.
Mr Mabenga was reacting to Dr Kalumba’s statement that MMD’s loss in the Msanzala parliamentary by-election is a reflection of a structural collapse in the former ruling party.
“Dr Katele Kalumba is nowhere near the administrative structure of our party. We don’t take his comments seriously,” he said.
The MMD, which fielded Peter Daka in the Msanzala parliamentary by-election, lost the seat to the Patriotic Front candidate Joseph Lungu.
On Saturday, Dr Kalumba said the MMD’s loss in the Msanzala parliamentary by-election is an indication that the former ruling party’s structures had collapsed.
Dr Kalumba advised Mr Daka to take comfort in the knowledge that the electoral loss is not his personal failure, but a reflection of a collapse in MMD structures.
He said it is unfortunate that Mr Daka did not win the election despite the fact that he was contesting the seat for the second time, after the September 20 tripartite elections.
Dr Kalumba warned that unless the structural collapse of the MMD is addressed, the former ruling party may not win future elections.
Meanwhile,the MMD in Luapula has directed its district executive committees to begin consultations for a successor to take over from former president Rupiah Banda.
MMD Luapula province chairman Emmanuel Chungu said in an interview from Mansa yesterday that he has given the district executive committee up to the end of this month to conclude the consultations.
“All the names of the candidates who have declared their intentions to stand and their profiles have been submitted. By mid-March, I will be meeting the district leadership to consolidate their findings,” Mr Chungu said.
He said it is important for the MMD to consult widely so that the former ruling party can come up with a party president who will be accepted by all.
“We want to get to the branches through the districts because they are the ones who will campaign for the party,” Mr Chungu said.
He said the MMD in Luapula is not restricting consultations to bona fide members but the process also involves political parties, churches and non-governmental organisations.
“We are consulting all political parties, including the governing party because we believe that the candidate must be acceptable to all,” Mr Chungu said.
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) says it will not be pressurised into holding a national convention because the current leadership is still legally in office.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said in Lusaka yesterday that the party has no immediate plans to hold a convention because the current leadership is legitimate.
According to Article 53 of the UPND constitution, a general assembly is supposed to meet every five years. Article 75 says the president of the party shall be elected by the General Assembly every five years.
The UPND last held a convention which elected leaders, including party president Hakainde Hichilema, in 2006.
And Article 79 says: “A party president shall be eligible for election for an indefinite period subject to the constitution provided that a party president who is elected republican president shall only serve two terms which shall run concurrently with the term of office as republican president.”
“There is nothing illegal about the current leadership and that they will continue in office until the next leaders are chosen,” Mr Kakoma said.
Mr Kakoma said the party will hold its convention at the right time and that at the moment, the convention is not a priority.
He said the UPND will focus on re-organising itself to be stronger.
“We are not under pressure to hold a convention but we will hold one when we are ready. Right now we are focusing on re-organising the party,” he said.
Mr Kakoma said the UPND is a democratic party and that at an appropriate time, the public will be informed when the convention will be held.
He said it may not be soon but a convention will take place as per party constitution.
He said what is important now is to re-organise the party and not to be pressurised about when to hold a convention.
