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United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema
Leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema has dared Republican President Michael Sata to have him arrested for being against the re-alignment of districts in southern province.
Mr. Hichilema has advised President Sata and Home Affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni to stop searching for citizens to arrest but instead have him arrested.
He said that it is dictatorial for the PF government to issue warnings to citizens that have different views from that of government.
The opposition leader has demanded that sanity returns to the democratic governance of the country which he says has been turned into chaos by the PF government.
Mr. Hichilema said that Mr. Sata is now proving to citizens that he is a dictator in the manner he is deciding on national affairs without consultation from concerned stakeholders.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning, Mr. Hichilema has warned that the democracy of the country is under threat if President Sata does not change his perceived dictatorship type of governance.
And the UPND leader has advised president Sata not to abuse the Zambia National Soccer team by asking them to sing the Donchi Kubeba song.
Mr. Hakainde says the national soccer team is a team for all Zambians regardless of political affiliation.
The opposition leader has however congratulated the team for reaching the finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nation’s tournament.
”]”During the late evening of Tuesday 27 April 1993 the Zambian Air Force Buffalo DHC-5D carrying most of the Zambian national football team to a FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Senegal in Dakar caught fire and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 500 metres offshore near Libreville, Gabon.
The plane had made a refuelling stop in Libreville en route to Dakar. All 30 passengers died, among them most of the finest generation of footballers Zambia had ever produced. Eventually 24 bodies were recovered, but only 13 could be identified.
A Gabonese official investigation into the accident concluded that the pilot had shut down the wrong engine after a fire. The investigation found that pilot fatigue and an instrument error had contributed to the accident.The Zambian government is yet to release a full report of the air crash to be unveiled to the public or family members.
Yesterday shortly after arriving in Libreville, where they take on Ivory Coast in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, the Copper Bullets made their way to the spot where 500 metres offshore a Zambian Air Force flight ditched into the sea, wiping out the national squad.
Only former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya avoided one of the great African football tragedies because he was based in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven and travelled directly to Dakar from Europe.
Now president of the Zambian Football Federation,Kalusha Bwalya was among the group paying an emotional homage to the dead on a cloudy late afternoon.
Against the gentle sound of the Atlantic waves lapping against the beach he said, with tears in his eyes: “It is no coincidence that we are here today, we have worked hard as a team.
“However I am convinced that our dearly departed brothers who lost their lives here 19 years ago have lent us a helping hand.
“In 1993 the Copper Bullets came here to fulfil a promise, they did not succeed, but instead gave up their lives for a gallant cause.
“Their dream to bring glory to our country, mother Zambia, is the same cause that brings us here today, the only difference is that we are alive and our former teammates are no longer here.
“It is for this reason that I say here today on behalf of all of us involved in Zambian football that their dreams are our dreams, they are smiling down on heaven as we take part in this tournament in Gabon.
“I pray that their souls may forever rest in peace and that God will give us the strength and the courage to fulfil our dreams…. and theirs.”
Bwalya, the players, and coach Herve Renard, had walked along the beach near the airport, singing a Zambian funeral hymn, before coming to a stop at the nearest point on land to the crash.
They then laid ‘flowers of the sea’, one for each person killed, at the water’s edge.
As the first flower was taken by a wave a thunder clap sounded overhead, and in the far horizon a ray of sunshine appeared in a break in the clouds.
Zambia captain Christopher Katongo then led the silent group of mourners in prayer.
A sign of how important this ceremony was to the 2012 squad was evidenced by the fact that not one player had the habitual set of headphones so beloved of football stars dangling around his ears, not one carried an ipod or iphone, each was simply intent on honouring the dead.
Also attending the ceremony was a local man who saw the plane crash, and helped recover parts of wreckage from the disaster.
Zambian Sports minister Chishimba Kambwili was also on hand to pay his respects.
He told the gathering: “Today brings memories, memories of 19 years ago when in the quest to bring glory to Zambia we lost gallant men and women, gallant men on that fateful day.
“Our coming to Gabon today I think by and large is by design. I think God made it this way so we can come and pay back by winning the Africa Cup to our fallen heroes.
“To you my fallen colleagues I want to say that you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten, you can see that you died here 19 years ago, but we’ve come here 19 years after to come and pay tribute and to say thank you for everthing that you did for mother Zambia.”
Before making their return to the team hotel to prepare for Sunday’s clash Bwalya, looking up to the stormy skies, said: “I’m sure the boys up there will be watching on Sunday.”
A GROUP of soccer enthusiasts has chartered a 160-seater Boeing 737 aircraft to ferry fans to Gabon to cheer the Zambia national soccer team as they take on Ivory Coast in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final game in Libreville on Sunday.
This brings to three the number of aircrafts that have been chartered to fly fans to Gabon.
The plane, which is being branded Zambia Chipolopolo in South Africa, will leave Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 08:00 hours on Sunday and arrive in Libreville four hours later. It will return in the evening the same day.
Southern Province Minister Miles Sampa, one of the organisers, said there is need to have a strong contingent of Zambians in the stands as the Chipolopolo boys take on Ivory Coast at the Stade de L’Amitie in Libreville.
He said an economy return air ticket is going at US$1,500 while a business class one is fetching US$3,100.
Mr Sampa said the air fares are inclusive of a shuttle to and from the stadium in Gabon and the ticket to watch the match.
“This is a memorable final and we urge Zambians to come in numbers so that we can cheer our brothers,” Mr Sampa said.
He said the contact person is Andrew Ndhlovu of Zambian Legends Travel Agency in Lusaka’s Rhodespark. Mr Ndhlovu can be reached on 0977- 696009 or 250937.
Mr Sampa appealed to the fans interested in travelling to Gabon to put on Zambian colours or replica jerseys for the national team which he said can be bought at Football House in Lusaka.
A Lusaka entrepreneur has also chartered two Boeing 737 aircrafts to ferry fans to Libreville.
“The Chipolopolo boys have done an amazing job so far – and they’re going to win the cup,” said Jo Pope, a member of the Zambia Tourism Board marketing committee, the woman behind Robin Pope Safaris and director of Proflight.
“We feel there must be a strong contingent of Zambian fans at the match to cheer them on. It’s a matter of national pride,” she said.
Pope has teamed up with Richard Sheppard of tour operators African Horizons to offer the special fans’ package to the game on Sunday.
Only 200 seats will be available. A special hotline has been set up for the tickets on 0976-324350. The return fare is US$2,050
And Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) have chartered a Boeing 737-200 to facilitate the return of the national soccer team from Gabon after it plays the final game against Ivory Coast on Sunday.
“The company is now facilitating the travel of senior Government officials and soccer fans, including KCM employees, to cheer and support our team to victory in the final on Sunday. The same aircraft will also carry the Chipolopolo back home,” KCM chief executive officer Jeyakumar Janakaraj said in a statement issued by public relations manager Joy Sata yesterday.
Janakaraj said KCM is thrilled with the impressive achievement of the Chipolopolo at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I would like to congratulate the Zambia national team for qualifying to the final. They have done us proud, especially that they defeated the bookmakers’ favourites, Ghana. The solid performance of Zambia at the Africa Cup is testimony that the local game has taken a turn to greater heights,” Janakaraj said.
He said KCM will remain a seasoned and committed sponsor of football, the reason why it decided to facilitate the team’s warm-up matches in India in November last year.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
A dark thriller about a Journalist Mikael Blomkvist( Daniel Craig) who is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) , a young computer hacker.
This is far more than another mystery. It’s a story of revenge, mental issues and ghastly secrets. Its “R” rating is justly deserved. Be forewarned that this material is not for the squeamish.
PROS
Rooney Mara played the role of the troubled Lisbeth Salander perfectly.
The movie has a very gripping story.
Excellent acting by the whole cast.
CONS
Some of the scenes were very explicit.
As you watch the movie you will figure out who the “super villain” is before he is reveled .
FAVORITE QUOTE
Martin Vanger: It’s funny how the fear of offending is greater than the fear of pain. You knew something was wrong. You knew you would end up strung up in the basement. Yet you came back. And all I had to do was…offer you a drink.
Henrik Vanger: You will be investigating thieves, misers, bullies. The most detestable collection of people that you will ever meet… MY FAMILY.
Lisbeth Salander: May I kill him?
CONCLUSION
‘The Girl with the dragon tattoo’ has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards . Those nominations are well deserved . This movie will undoubtedly leave its mark on you. It is dark , graphic , but every thing in this movie has a purpose and you will get attached to the characters.
Zambia national soccer team replica jerseys, memorabilia, paraphernalia and other objects on display for sale in Lusaka.
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is losing millions of Kwacha in revenue from counterfeit Zambia National soccer team replica jerseys flooding the market since the Africa Cup of Nations started on January 21.
Some Lusaka-based businessmen both local and foreign, are making the counterfeit jerseys in sweatshops around the city.
A survey conducted by the Daily Mail around parts of Lusaka revealed that some street vendors sell the replica jerseys in the range of K65,000 and K85,000.
The official FAZ approved replica jersey costs K300, 000.
In the central business district, the replica jerseys sold by the vendors range from K85, 000 to K100,000.
FAZ vice-president Boniface Mwamelo said the association has reported the matter to the Zambia Police and are waiting for their response.
Mr Mwamelo said the association contracted Nike to print 10,000 replica jerseys which have been distributed to authorised dealers and are going for K300,000 each.
He said this in an interview in Lusaka recently; “FAZ is losing a lot of revenue from counterfeit Zambian national soccer team replica jerseys which are being sold at a cheap price.”
He said the association has already identified some people who are making these counterfeit jerseys and will soon move in.
Mr Mwamelo called on the public to get genuine replica jerseys from authorised dealers, which are of high quality.
The authorised dealers are selling the originals in the ranges of K250, 000 and K300, 000.
Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) says counterfeit products, which have flooded the market, are a threat to the consumers and the economy at large.
ZACA executive director Muyunda Ililonga said the importing of counterfeit products imposes unfair advantage to the genuine product because counterfeit products are cheap.
“Counterfeit products are a threat to the consumers and the economy and most of these products are imported which are sold cheaply compared to the original products,” he said.
Mr Ililonga urged Government to give Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) a go-ahead and implement the Pre-Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme.
He said once PVoC is implemented it will help curb the importation of fake products which have recently flooded the local market.
ZABS public relations officer Dingase Makumba said the work of the organisation is to ensure that manufacturers and traders comply to the standards.
She said to curb illegal products ZABS needs commitment from both the traders and the manufacturers.
The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals has seen a boom in the demand for replica jerseys following the good performance by the Zambia national soccer team.
On Wednesday, Zambia beat Ghana 1-0 to storm the Africa Cup of Nations final and will face Ivory Coast on Sunday in Libreville, Gabon.
The sweatshop workers often work long hours for very low pay, regardless of laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Zambia National Soccer team Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene
Chief Kanyensha of the Swaka people in Mkushi district of Central Province has pledged cattle and 250 hectares of land to Zambia National Soccer team Goal keeper Kennedy Mweene.
Chief Kanyensha disclosed this to ZANIS in Kabwe yesterday saying Kennedy Mweene should be commended for saving Zambia from being knocked out of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament when he denied the Ghana’s Black Stars, a goal through a penalty.
The Chief was however quick to shower praises on the entire team for the manner it played Wednesday night’s game adding that he was sure this time, the Africa Cup would be won by Zambia.
Chief Kanyensha said he was impressed by the national team’s Semi-final result in which Zambia beat Ghana 1-0 to qualify to the finals.
The Traditional ruler said though team work produced the result, Mweene’s performance was outstanding thereby leaving him (Chief Kanyensha) with no choice but to award him with a cow and a steer (female and male) and 250 hectares of land to appreciate his service to the nation.
He said Mweene should travel to chief Kanyensha’s palace upon arrival from the AFCON tournament to collect his animals and also to see his 250ha land.
Chief Kanyensha has appealed to the Provincial administration to help Mweene in processing title deeds for the land he has been awarded.
The Traditional ruler said according to his assessment, Wednesday’s game was tough and was not easy for Zambia to emerge winners but because of resilience, the team managed to qualify.
“ I counted ourselves out when I saw the referee pointing to the penalty box. But little did I know that Mweene was steady and that he was there for Zambia, the boy impressed me a lot,’ said chief Kanyensha.
Another soccer fan, Honest Kaliki said Chipolopolo players deserved praises for beating teams such as Ghana which were regarded experienced and better on the continent.
Kaliki said Mweene did a lot for Zambia by parrying away the penalty kick and deserved to be commended.
Zambia beat Ghana 1-0 in the 79th minute through Striker Emmanuel Mayuka sailing through to the AFCON tournament billed for Sunday in Libreville, Gabon.
The United State says it will contribute over US$12 million to Agriculture policy research in Zambia over the next five years.
United States Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella disclosed the development at the launch of the Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) in Lusaka yesterday.
The IAPRI is an independent, Zambia-led institute that will provide credible and impartial policy guidance on agricultural issues. To ensure the IAPRI’s impartiality, the institute will derive its research mandate from its own Zambian board of directors composed of Public and private sector officials.
Ambassador Storella stated that the United State has enthusiastically partnered with Zambia’s new Indaba Agriculture policy research Institute to support farmers in Zambia.
Mr.Storella noted that agricultural growth is determined by the strength of a country’s policies and investment decisions adding that informed policies will lead to reform in government programmes such as the Food Reserve Agency, increasing living standards and improving nutrition among the rural poor.
With funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), researchers and policy analysts from Michigan States University will mentor new IAPRI staff as they undertake research and outreach activities.
He said the USAID support will also help the institute to manage competitive grants program that will give opportunities for Zambian researchers, policy analysts and reform advocates.
He noted that the IAPRI will assist the Ministry of Agriculture in developing the country Investment plan under Zambia’s comprehensive African Agriculture in development Program and provide research evidence to the Zambian government in the review and restructuring of the Farmers Input Support program and Food Reserve Agency.
And Government says it realizes that the agricultural sector urgently requires capitalization in the fields of research and development, extension, and infrastructure development.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Emmanuel Chenda says governments the world over can only make prudent and sustainable policy decisions if the same are based on well researched and evidence based information.
Mr.Chenda was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he launched the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI, the successor to the Food Security Research Project.
He said the incorporation of the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute therefore comes at an opportune time when the country needs to develop a cost effective, transparent, efficient and sustainable agriculture sector.
Mr.Chenda also stated that Government is committed to developing and implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) investment plan in line with the Patriotic Front manifesto.
He said government realizes that issues related to crop diversification, livestock disease control, agricultural marketing and input supply among others, are a priority in the country’s quest to develop the agricultural sector.
The Minister expressed confidence that once the CAADP investment plan is developed, cooperating partners and other stakeholders will be able to assist Government source and fund the various components in the plan.
Speaking at the same function, US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella stated that his government will over the next five years contribute over US$12 million to agriculture policy research in Zambia.
Ambassador Storella stated that agricultural growth is determined by the strength of a country’s policies and investment decisions, adding that informed policies will lead to reform in government programmes such as the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), increasing living standards and improving nutrition among the rural poor.
He said the US enthusiastically partners with Zambia’s new Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute to support Zambian farmers.
And Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute Executive Director Chance Kabaghe stated that policy implementation was critical if the country was to fully exploit the potential the agriculture sector possessed in order to make it more efficient, transparent and sustainable than it has been in the past.
Mr.Kabaghe noted with sadness that despite government intervention in ensuring food security in the country by initiating programmes like the Farmer Support Input Programme (FISP) poverty levels remain high.
He said the launch of the IAPRI is therefore important in finding solutions to challenges been faced in the agriculture sector, particularly in rising productivity in a bid to fight poverty.
And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Executive Director NdamboNdambo said low productivity and lack of diversification are among the top challenges been faced by the majority of farmers in the country hence the need for researchers to re-focus on productivity enhancement technologies and alternatives for diversification.
Mr.Ndambo urged government to create markets, saying market availability is a sure catalyst to agriculture diversification.
He noted that the majority of farmers are greatly disadvantaged because of poor access to market information and trade opportunities.
The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has supported the decision by government to engage the Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Office of the Auditor General to investigate the dubious activities in administration of funds at the Citizen Economic and Empowerment commission (CEEC).
Association Executive Director Muyunda Ililonga says it is important for government to establish any illegal activities and ascertain any possible corruption in the way the funds were managed at the institution for the benefit of Zambians.
Mr.Ililonga told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, that it is unfair that only a few individual can be benefiting from a fund which was set with the concept of helping uplift the living standards of the less privileged in society.
He explained that the fund was established to save a noble cause which was not achieved due to illegal activities by some officers.
He added that the fund was also meant to help provide substantial funding to small business people consequently improving the supply of goods and services for the benefit of consumers.
Mr Ililonga charged that if there is increased supply of goods and services especially at small scale level a lot of consumers who are in most cases vulnerable tend to have access to these products.
He noted that the other reason for the fund was to make Zambians participate in the country’s economic growth through engaging in various business activities.
The ZACA Chief added that this was why there is need for the commission and management ensure that the fund was properly utilized for it to serve its intended purpose.
He regretted that currently the country’s economy has been dominated by foreigners hence the need to provide proactive support for the small scale business people if local investment is to be boosted.
Mr.Ililonga further added that the request to the Ministry of Finance to suspend further funding to the Commission until the process review is completed should be welcomed for the sake of transparency.
He has also advised government not to take long in concluding the investigations and resume normal operations at the institution.
Minister of Commerce on Monday announced that government will engage the ACC and the Office of the Auditor General to investigate dubious activities and examine the authenticity of possible corruption in the way the funds were administered at CEEC.
United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema has described commerce minister Bob Sichinga’s statement that the MMD government printed fake three trillion kwacha in China as a diplomatic blunder.
And Mr Hichilema has called on the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) to discipline Mr Sichinga on the same who happens to be their member.
Mr Hichilema says it is unfortunate that a Senior Minister can publicly make a lie and a diplomatic blunder against the Chinese government.
He says the UPND is wondering how many times the PF government would continue to squander the trust entrusted to them by the Zambian people by allegedly telling lies.
Mr. Hichilema says what is surprising is the deafening silence from the head of state on an issue which has diplomatic ramifications with Zambia’s relationship with the Chinese government.
He says the Patriotic Front led government’s continued issuance of alarming statements which end up being lies is an embarrassment to the Country.
And Mr. Hichilema has called upon the Zambia Institute Chartered Accountants (ZICA) to discipline its member Mr Sichinga on the alarming statement regarding the fake currency
He has also challenged Mr. Sichinga to publicly apologise to the Zambians at large and the Chinese government for the embarrassment and inconvenience caused.
And Mr. Hichilema says that the party expects serious policy directives on the promised job creation through resuscitating Mwinilunga Pineapple, Mununshi Banana Scheme, Mansa Batteries, Livingstone Motor Assemblies, Luangwa Industries, Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, Mulungushi and Kafue Textiles.
This is contained in a press statement released to QFM.
Government has cautioned marketeers operating in Soweto market to refrain from paying market levy to political cadres.
Local Government, Housing Early Education and Environmental Protection Deputy minister Steven Masumba made the plea when he addressed marketeers at new Soweto market.
Mr Masumba who was accompanied by Lusaka province deputy permanent secretary Kazeya Zulu warned that government will not hesitate to prosecute any cadre found collecting market levy regardless of their political affiliation.
He said it’s wrong for any cadre to harass marketeers with the aim of collecting market levy from the traders.
Instead, Mr Masumba urged the marketeers to report such cadres to the police so that the law can take its course.
He insisted that only the local government is mandated and allowed by law to collect market levy and not cadres.
Meanwhile the Deputy Minister has challenged marketeers at new Soweto market to keep their trading area clean.
He said the marketeers should not wait for the council but rather take up the challenge to clean their business premises.
And marketeers who took turns to complain to the Deputy Minister said they are often harassed by cadres when they come to collects market levys.
They disclosed that the cadres charge them as much as fifty thousand kwacha per stand.
The marketers saluted government for coming to their aid as most of the time they are victimised by the cadres to pay market levy.
President Michael Sata has conveyed his and the nation’s gratitude to the Chipolopolo boys for their remarkable achievement of qualifying for the final of the prestigious 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a press statement released by Statehouse to the media today.
And President Sata has called on the corporate world to motivate the Zambia National Soccer Team ahead of this weekend’s final match with Ivory Coast.
In his message to the Chipolopolo boys, the President said the team rose to the challenge at a critical stage to eliminate one of the finest teams in Africa, Ghana, whose historical stature is bigger than Zambia having won the tournament four times.
“But that rich history did not cow you into submission, instead it added to your resolve to write a different chapter on African football. On behalf of all Zambians, I wish to congratulate you on this breath-taking feat. You are the pride of our beloved country,” the President said.
“I am cognisant of the fact that this is the first time in 18 years that we are reaching the final and only the third in the history of the tournament. We lost 1-2 to Nigeria in 1994 and 0-2 in the twice played final of 1974 against Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), when Zambia competed for the first time.”
President Sata said the quality of football the team is displaying defines the true character and spirit of the Zambian people, who always strive to be winners.
“As you go into the final, I urge you to fight for the nation in getting rid of the pain of losing your gallant colleagues who perished off the coast of Gabon in 1993. Continue with your hard work, dedication and determination to the job at hand,” the President said.
“You stand at a very emotional point with your eyes firmly fixed on the title. And the nation believes in your collective ability and shares your desires and aspirations. Go for it, it’s Donchi Kubeba all the way!” the president said
Zambia play Ivory Coast in Sunday’s final, the first time the teams are meeting at this stage of the tournament. But Zambia beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 1994 edition; two years after the West Africans had won their first and only title.
And President Sata has invited the corporate world to join forces and find ways and means of motivating the Chipolopolo boys ahead of this weekend’s final match with Ivory Coast.
A football fan painted in green celebrates on Lumumba road after Zambia beat Ghana
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Some soccer fans in support of the Zambia National Soccer team ride on top of a mini bus in Lusaka
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A soccer fan shows the Patrotic Front 'donchi kubeba' symbol in support of the Zambia National Soccer team in Lusaka.
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Football fans celebrating after Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene penalty stopped a penalty shoot by Asamoa Gyan. This was at East Point night club in Lusaka.
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Football fans getting a body paint
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Football fans in the Matero celebrating Zambia's victory over Ghana.
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A football fan painted in green celebrates on Lumumba road after Zambia beat Ghana.
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Football fans celebrating after Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene penalty stopped a penalty shoot by Asamoa Gyan. This was at East Point night club in Lusaka.
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Fans celebrate at Odys Filling Station on Lumumba road in Lusaka.
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Football fans in the Matero slums celebrating Zambia's victory over Ghana.
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Football fans in the Matero slums celebrating Zambia's victory over Ghana.
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Driving around and hooting. Picture by J. Mandela
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Soccer fans onto the vehicle to toast Zambia's victory. Picture by J Mandela
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Soccer Fans party r Zambia's victory. Picture by J Mandela
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Zambia partying after the victory. Picture by J Mandela
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Zambia partying after the victory. Picture by J Mandela
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Soccer Fans in national colours celebrate Zambia's victory,. Picture by J Mandela
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Soccer Fans in national colours celebrate Zambia's victory,. Picture by J Mandela
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Happy Soccer fans doing their thing. Picture by J Mandela
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|Happy Soccer fans doing their thing. Picture by J Mandela
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Happy Soccer fans doing their thing. Picture by J Mandela
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A football fan painted in green celebrates on Lumumba road after Zambia beat Ghana
File: FORMER Vice President George Kunda (c) confers with his two lawyers Sunday Nkonde (r) and Robison Malipenga after the petition hearing at High Court in Lusaka
FORMER Republican vice-president George Kunda allegedly wrote a letter to former Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane objecting to the decision to award a tax deferment facility to Varun beverages, it has emerged.
Mr Kunda, in his letter a few days before former president Rupiah Banda summoned a meeting at State House on March 15, advised that companies that wanted a tax holiday should arrange with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
He had contended in the letter that a “face-less” tax deferment was illegal. Mr Kunda was also Justice minister at the time.
Sources said when he appeared before a team of law enforcement officers, Mr Kunda was asked to read the letter and confirmed that he authored it because it was his duty.
A letter from Mr Banda to Dr Musokotwane in April 2010 directing the ministry to facilitate the awarding of tax holiday was written after Mr Kunda’s advice against the deferment facility.
The former president’s letter has, however, allegedly disappeared from the Ministry of Finance in unexplained circumstances.
The special combined team of security personnel investigating allegations of corruption has attempted in vain to trace the letter dated April 24, 2010.
The letter was a follow up to a meeting that allegedly took place at State House on March 15, 2010 called by Mr Banda in which he allegedly asked Dr Musokotwane to ensure that the tax holiday was granted.
Those who attended the State House meeting included Dr Musokotwane, former Commerce minister Felix Mutati, and Mr Kunda.
Others were Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Director-General Andrew Chipwende and former chief budget analyst in charge of tax revenue who is now director of economic management, Felix Nkulukusa.
In an interview in Lusaka on Tuesday, Mr Chipwende said he was just called to attend the State House meeting and could not discuss the matter in detail.
“We do not operate like that. I was called to that meeting and what is said is for the Government and not for the public,” Mr Chipwende said.
Mr Kunda declined to comment on the matter saying it would be hard for him because a warn and caution statement had been recorded from Dr Musokotwane.
Value Added Tax (VAT) is not on the list of taxes available for deferment to companies according to the Zambia Development Agency Act (ZDA), but was offered to Varun.
Last night Zambia defeated the mighty Black stars in a very tense match .
Kennedy Mweene saved an early penalty kick that would have put Ghana ahead . The Black stars dominated much of the match , but chipolopolo did not give up .
In the second half , against the run of play, substitute Mayuka, received the ball with his back to goal , controlled it with his first touch then swung and sent a shot curling past Adam Kwarasey and in off the foot of the post for his third goal of the tournament giving Zambia a shock 1-0 win over four-time champions Ghana and securing a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
“When I had the ball, I saw the defender backing off a little bit and then I just said to myself take a shot. And then I just said to myself thank you God and I knew this was our day” Mayuka told reporters.
“It was written in the stars that we had to return to Gabon in order to honour the memories of the national side wiped out in 1993,” said Zambia’s French coach Herve Renard.
“A team that is returning home and all of them die, is catastrophic for a country.
“Twelve million Zambians wanted us to go the whole way to Libreville. As soon as we arrive in Libreville, we will go to the spot where the plane crashed, not far from the stadium.
“It is imperative we play for them, for Zambia, because it is a fantastic country.”
KENYAN police commissioner, Mathew Iteere, has said that son of former Zambian president Rupiah Banda, Henry used two different passports for entry and exit while official records indicate that he left the East African country on November 23, last year.
According to the Daily Nation of Kenya quoting Mr Iteere: “Since then, there are no records to show that he has visited again.”
Contrary to this, the newspaper recently visited one of the business executives who is said to have links with Henry in Spring Valley, Nairobi and learnt that the son of the former president instead left the country on January 26 and it was not known when he would be back.
Mr. Iteere was quoted as saying that should it turn out that Henry was still in that country as claimed by Zambian authorities, he then must have gained entry using an illegal route.
Kenyan police have been looking for Henry following a request by Zambia through the global police organisation, Interpol, to have him for alleged corruption.
“If he is in Kenya, he did not pass through designated entry points. We did enquiries and established that he visited Kenya three times last year and left,” Mr Iteere is further quoted as saying.
He said records showed that Henry used two passports on different occasions, with the last update showing he left Kenya on November 23 last year.
The Daily Nation reports that the Kenyan police commissioner corrected reports by his Zambian counterpart Martin Malama which indicated that Henry was hiding in Kenya.
“The report I got from Zambia does not indicate that he is in Kenya.
It says that Mr Banda had left South Africa and could be headed to Kenya,” Mr Iteere said
Kenyan police have been on the lookout for Henry though they were not keen to arrest him immediately so as not to break international laws and procedures.
The newspaper states that Kenyan authorities would have to wait until Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, issues a red notice, even after receiving a warrant of arrest.
Though a wanted man at home, Henry enjoys close connections with prominent Kenyans and is linked to many businesses.
He was widely accused in Zambia in 2009 of brokering a deal in which a Kenyan oil trading company, Dalbit Petroleum Ltd, clinched a multi-million-dollar contract to supply finished petroleum products to Zambia.
There were claims in the media on how the Kenyan businessmen who had attended the tender opening ceremony in Lusaka had been given aide de camps by the Government.
The former President’s son has been linked to the illegal sale of Zamtel to Libya’s Lap Green Networks.
When contacted, Zambia Police Service Inspector General, Martin Malama, said that the latest information that police had remained as earlier indicated that Henry was still in Kenya.
