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ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Roy Mwaba
The Zambia National Congress of Trade Unions -ZCTU- is urging government ministers NOT to issue statements regarding salaries for workers, before the conclusion of negotiations.
ZCTU Secretary General ROY MWABA, says such statements can affect the bargaining process for conditions of service.
He told ZANIS in an interview today, that the labour movements have the mandate to represent the workers adding that they should be left alone to do their work in the most professional manner.
And Mr. MWABA has urged government to treat all public workers equally.
He says salary increments should be across the board for all public workers.
Mr MWABA also said that remunerations should also be based on qualifications of a worker regardless of the public institution that one works for.
Zamtel has assured the general public of its commitment to the continued extensive network expansion programme and and the growth of its customer base following the Government’s recent takeover of the institution.
In a statement released today, Zamtel Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe, said the company will continue to pursue an agressive growth path, adding that operations have continued to run smoothly since he assumed office on January 25.
Dr. Mwanakatwe has also paid tribute to Zamtel employees for their professional conduct and their dedication towards the growth of the nation’s sole total communication solutions provider.
“Our ambitious growth and investment plans remain fully on-track. We are, for instance, currently in the initial phase of relacing our copper wire network with with a modern state-of-the art optical fibre network. Our 3G roll out plan is also on course and very soon we shall be inviting some of our valued customers to participate in product testing,” said Dr. Mwanakatwe.
He said the company is committed to running as a profitable entity dedicated to making a meaningful and lasting contribution to national development.
Dr. Mwanakatwe also expressed confidence in the Zambian talent within Zamtel saying working as a focused, driven and motivated team, the company shall attain great successes.
The new Zamtel CEO has further called on stakeholders to support the country’s largest communication solutions provider by signing up for its wide range of products and services cutting through its three product descriptors – Fixed line, mobile and broadband data.
He made an assurance that Zamtel will remain highly innovative, efficient and competitive, saying it is imperative that Zambians and businesses show confidence in their own home-grown communication partner and brand.
“Our biggest stakeholder is the Zambian people and if we are to show leadership as is expected of us, it is imperative that we have their support,” said Dr. Mwanakatwe.
Mbesuma is not in the starting line up at the AFCON ,but he is on the bench and should be ready to perform at his best when called upon.
CAREER
Mbesuma made his debut for Zambia in 2003 and had won four caps by the end of that year, while at the same time being a key member of Zambia’s under-23 side that almost qualified for the Athens Olympics.
His performances for the Olympic team caught the attention of Kaizer Chiefs who bought him in January from Roan United in Zambia, where he averaged a goal every other game.
He scored on his debut in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League in 2004 against the Black Leopards but injured himself in the process and spent several weeks on the sidelines.
MOVE TO EUROPE
Mbesuma was named PSL Player of the Season in 2005 after scoring a sensational 35 goals in one season with Kaizer Chiefs. After such an achievement a move to a more prestigious league looked assured, and indeed it was enough to catch the eye of Sam Allardyce, manager of Bolton Wanderers . Mbesuma was eventually signed to by then-Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin on a three-year contract in the summer of 2005.
He appeared overweight early in the season when playing for the reserve team. Mbesuma never started a match for Portsmouth; he only came on for a total of 4 brief substitute appearances, all in the first half of the 2005/06 season.
In July 2006 he began a season long loan with CS Marítimo where he appeared to be regaining his form – netting in vital goals early in the season and receiving the Swan d’Or, an auspicious monthly Portuguese football award. However his form soon dipped and his goal tally climaxed at a total of just seven goals. He returned to Portsmouth in June 2007 after playing 23 games for the Portuguese team.
On 4 August 2007, it was announced that Bursaspor signed Mbesuma for an undisclosed amount.
On 17 September 2007, Mbesuma was fined 5000 Euros by Bursaspor for failing to return on time to his Turkish base after helping Zambia to beat South Africa in an African Cup of Nations qualifier. This kind of behaviour by Mbesuma was condemned and described as irresponsible by the Zambian FA (FAZ) Mbesuma has a long standing reputation of poor timekeeping. This problem dates back to his time at Zambian outfit Roan United.
BACK TO FORM
On 23 May 2008, Mbesuma mutually terminated his contract with Bursaspor and signed with Mamelodi Sundowns. After an unimpressive stints at Mamelodi Sundowns and then Moroka Swallows FC his contract was terminated at the end of the June 2010.After being clubless for several months he joined Golden Arrows on 20 December 2010 for a six month deal. He scored his first goals (a brace) against Amazulu on 16 January 2011.
He is included in Zambia’s team at the on-going AFCON.
Members of the technical committee drafting the new constitution get K650,000 per day as sitting allowance.
Committee Chairperson Justice Annel Silungwe has also disclosed to journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka today that the chairperson and his vice are getting K750,000 and 745,000 respectively.
QFM News reports that Justice Silungwe could however not give the total budget for the entire operations of the technical committee saying the financial plan has not been finalized.
He further noted that the technical committee meets every working day and has so far had 19 meetings since December last year.
And Justice Silungwe has indicated that the draft constitution once ready by the end of next month would be translated into seven official local languages.
He adds that the document would also be produced in Braille form to allow the visually impaired study and comment on the draft constitution.
Justice Silungwe adds that the technical committee has been looking at constitutions from other African countries and has had interactive sessions with other stakeholders to ensure that the committee comes up with a more inclusive draft constitution.
The former Chief Justice has also recommended that a Zambian constitution Act be put in place saying the white paper arrangement has in the past been used to manipulate the constitution.
He adds that a referendum commission will have to be put in place to continue with the constitution making process as the mandate of the technical committee would have ended by June when the final report and draft constitution will be presented to President Michael Sata.
Meanwhile the committee today met with the Zambia Congress of Trade unions to discuss constitutional issues bordering on labour.
And ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba who was accompanied by his secretary general Roy Mwaba advised the technical committee to ensure it brings all political players on board to avoid having another failed constitution making process.
Mr. Hikaumba said the labour movement will participate in the constitution making process and has hoped that the country will this time around have a successful conclusion of the constitution making process.
Clifford Mulenga has been expelled from the Africa Cup.
The Bloemfontein Celtic winger was ejected by coach Herve Renard for breaking the teams curfew rules with three other players while the team was in Malabo over the weekend.
Faz communications officer Erick Mwanza confirmed that Mulenga was no longer part of the team after breaching curfew rules in camp.
The player was sent home just after the team landed in Bata on Tuesday from Malabo where they beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 on January 29 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Mulenga traveled with the team from Malabo to Bata on the same day.
He had not also featured in any of Zambia’s Group A matches at the Africa Cup prior to his expulsion.
And Mwanza declined to name the other three players saying it was in the interest of team unity ahead of Zambia’s quarterfinal clash against Sudan on February 4 in Bata.
High Court Judge Albert Wood has nullified the election of former Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale as Malambo Member of Parliament.
Judge Wood nullified the election of Mr Mwale when he delivered judgment in the matter this afternoon.
Patriotic Front’s Kaweche Kaunda, son of first republican President Kenneth Kaunda had petitioned the election of Mr Mwale citing electoral malpractices during campaigns.
Mr Kaunda in his petition contended that the former Minister’s election was influenced by bribery and vote-buying.
Witnesses in the matter testified how money was being dished out to voters about 300 metres from one polling station on polling day.
QFM News reports that delivering Judgment in the matter, Judge Wood noted that it was not possible that 1,000 bicycles could be distributed as charity to the people in the constituency.
He also noted that the fact that the distribution of bicycles was done on a large scale is evidence enough that the move could influence the outcome of the election.
Judge Wood further noted that the use of government facilities to store political campaign materials is by law prohibited, referring to storing of MMD campaign material at a post office in Malambo.
And Judge Wood has upheld the election of Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka.
He dismissed the petition by the PF’s Osward Chuulu and UPND’s Joe Mboyoma on grounds that the petitioners failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the alleged corrupt practices took place.
MMD Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka has hailed the judgment saying it is a clear indication that the judiciary is independent
President MICHAEL SATA has arrived back home from ADDIS ABABA in Ethiopia where he had gone to attend the 18th African Union summit.
The President touched down at Kenneth Kaunda international airport in the company of first lady CHRISTINE KASEBA at about 12:05 hours aboard the presidential challenger jet.
He was was met on arrival by vice president GUY SCOTT, finance minister ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA, acting secretary to the cabinet EVANS CHIBILITI, service chiefs and other senior government officials.
And President Michael Sata has described as successful the just ended 18th African Union (AU) summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Sata who attended the AU leaders’ summit for the first time said the meeting managed to bring to the discussion table many issues of common interest.
In a brief interviewTuesday at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport shortly before departure for Lusaka, Mr. Sata said the meeting made significant achievements which he promised to discuss later.
President Sata was seen off at the Airport by Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda and his Permanent Secretary Peter Kasanda, Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary for Administration Annie Sinyangwe and Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Francis Simenda.
The AU summit was convened under the theme” Boosting Intra-Africa Trade” and was attended by 53 heads of state and representatives of government.
Only Madagascar, which is currently serving an AU suspension, was not represented.
In their meeting, the AU Heads of State and Government considered the recommendations of the Executive Council on the report of the Commission on the implementation of previous decisions.
Other issues considered by the leaders’ summit were the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa and another one on NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC).
Given that the mandate of Dr. Jean Ping led AU Commission which came to an end in January, the leaders held polls to usher in a new administration of the Council which ended in a stalemate.
A vote by African leaders for the head of their block’s influential Executive ended in a deadlock between Gabon’s Jean Ping seeking a new term and challenger Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa.
Neither candidates obtained the required two-thirds majority to be declared winner.
This means that Deputy AU Commission Chief Erastus Mwencha of Kenya will serve as Chair of the Union until fresh polls are held at the next meeting in Malawi.
Mwense District Commissioner Henry M’gomba says Wild Dogs have terrorized villages in Chieftainess Mwenda and Chief Mutipula’s chiefdoms respectively.
ZANIS reports from Mwense, today, that six villages in the said chiefdoms have been invaded by the wild animals who are threatening lives in the areas.
The District Commissioner Henry Mun’gomba who confirmed the development in an interview, today, said the wild dogs in fact attacked a 13 year old boy, Evans Chabala of Chikumbi Village who later died of suspected rabies.
Mr Mun’gomba said the wild dogs later attacked 21 year old Paul Katai aged 21 and left him for dead.
Villagers of Ntondo Village managed to kill one wild dog after it bit an Assistant Fisheries Officer James Mubamba.
He said in Chieftainess Mwenda’s area, seven cases were reported from Chulu-Luongo Village, two cases from Chipowe Village and a case from Ntondo, and another from Petrol villages.
” However, some villagers managed to kill one of the wild dogs at Ntondo Village . Its head is being preserved for further investigations and examinations for the presence of rabies by the veterinary department in Lusaka, ” he said.
The wild dogs also attacked some vengeful domesticated dogs that tried to challenge them and the latter are now showing signs of rabies.
Farming activities in the area have been tampered with as the farming community are fearing for their lives.
The matter has since reported the to the Zambia Wild Authority officials in Mansa to bring the situation in the affected areas under control.
Clement Sinyinda (L) Situmbeko Musokotwani with during Kuomboka ceremony at Lealui
The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has appointed Clement Wainyae Sinyinda as its new Prime Minister ( Ngambela) for Western Province.
Mr Sinyinda who originates from Situnda Village, headman Saela, Chief Kakene in Senanga district in Western Province today assumed new titles of Minyolui, Sope, and the Ngambela of Barotseland.
ZANIS reports from Mongu that the ceremony was characterised by ululations and beating of the royal drums when Mr. Sinyinda was installed as Ngambela at Lealui Royal Village in Mongu District this morning.
Mr.Sinyinda was Education Deputy Minister during the former MMD regime
Speaking after the installation, Induna Mutwaleti appealed to the people of Western Province to accord the new Ngambela with the respect he deserves.
Induna Mutwaleti noted that the appointment and installation of the Ngambela for the Province was a major cry of the lozi people for a long time.
He said the Ngambela is the spokes person of the Litunga and he is major link between the Litunga and the people of Barotseland.
Meanwhile, Provincial Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu has commended the BRE for installing a new Ngambela.
Mr. Mubukwanu said government stands ready to support the BRE and its new Ngambela each time his office will be called upon.
Western Province has not had a properly installed Prime Minister since the resignation of the late Maxwell Mututwa.
The Installation ceremony was attended by a number of Silalo Indunas, Village headmen, the Provincial Minister Mr Nathanael Mubukwanu, Permanent secretary Mr Augustine Seyuba, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr Mwangala Liomba, Mongu District Commissioner Piaus Mishengo and other traditional leaders in the province
Libya will do all it can to protect its 75 percent stake in Zamtel, the fixed-line telecoms firm in Zambia, whose government announced plans last week to seize Libya’s stake in the firm, Libyan Foreign Minister Ashour bin Khayyal said on Monday.
“The Zambian government has taken a unilateral action by nationalising this company,” Khayyal said, adding he had spoken to his Zambian counterpart about the issue at the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital.
Zambia dissolved the board of Zamtel and appointed a new acting CEO last Tuesday, a day after announcing plans to seize 75 percent of the firm from Libya’s LAP Green Networks.
The previous Zambian government had sold the 75 percent stake to LAP Green Networks for $257 million in 2010.
Libya made major investments in Africa during Muammar Gaddafi’s rule, some of them managed by the $65 billion Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) through a $5 billion fund known as Libyan African Investment Portfolio.
LAP, a telecom company operating in six African countries, was one of these investments.
Khayyal said Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council would review such investments. “We will keep what (investment) is successful, and we will review what is facing difficulty or is a failure,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of the summit.
He said Libya would send a delegation to Zambia to discuss the Zamtel issue in one or two weeks.
“Definitely this money is Libyan money, and owned by the Libyan people. We will exercise all our efforts to protect this money,” Khayyal said
Former Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane arrives at the former Taskforce on Corruption offices in Lusaka for questioning
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A police officer escorts Former Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane from the former Taskforce on Corruption offices in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba about to embrace children from the SOS Zambia Children’s village in Lusaka.
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba about to embrace children from the SOS Zambia Children’s village in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba embraces children from the SOS Zambia Children’s village in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba interacts with children and teachers at the SOS Zambia children’s village in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba (centre), wife of the vice president Charlotte Scott (left) and SOS Zambia Children’s village board chairperson Lucy Kasanga during the launch of the cancer screening clinic in Lusaka
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: SOS Zambia Children’s Village board chairperson Lucy Kasanga (left) pins a medal on First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba after she was appointed goodwill Ambassador for cervical cancer in Lusaka
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First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba cuts a ribbon during the launch of the cervical cancer screening centre at the SOS Zambia Children’s Village in Lusaka
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A family of Chowa Township in Kabwe is spending time outside the house after their home was floded following a heavy downpour on Saturday night
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Kabwe District Commissioner Mwafwa Ngambi (l) and Kabwe Central MP James Kapyanga inspect flooded houses in Kabwe after a heavy downpour on Saturday night
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: Kabwe District Commissioner Mwifwa Ngambi wades through one of the flooded houses in Chowa stage Four.
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A Mr Muleya who lives at house number 40 in Chowa Township stands helpless after his house was flooded following heavy rains in Kabwe at the weekend.
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Kabwe Central Member of Parliament James Kapyanga (c) meets Kabwe residents whose houses were flooded following heavy rains at the weekend
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Many Township roads have been flooded following heavy in Kabwe at the weekend. Here, some residents wading through one of the roads leading to Chowa Township.
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Many houses were flooded following heavy rains in Chowa Township of Kabwe at the weekend. Here, one of the houses with household property submerged in water.
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MMD presidential aspirant Dr Nevers leaves the former Taskforce on corruption offices in Lusaka.
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MMD presidential aspirant Dr Nevers (right) and his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota after appearing before investigative wings at the former Taskforce on corruption offices in Lusaka.
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POLICE officers search motorists entering and coming out of Zamtel offices in Lusaka. Security has been tightened at the telecommunications firm after the takeover by the government
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POLICE officers search motorists entering and leaving Zamtel offices in Lusaka. Security has been tightened at the telecommunications firm after the takeover by the government
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POLICE officers search motorists entering and leaving Zamtel offices in Lusaka. Security has been tightened at the telecommunications firm after the takeover by the government
President Sata has been challenged to probe all privatized firms in the country. President Sata recently instituted a commission of inquiry to probe the sale of Zanaco.
Political analyst, Sunday Chanda says the president should depart from selective approach of probing the privatized companies. He has also challenged President Sata to publicize the findings of the commission of Inquiry in to the sale of Finance Bank.
Mr. Chanda claims that the path taken by the PF led government is similar to Zimbabwe’s nationalization program. He has expressed fears saying the trend if let to go on will be costly and plunge the national economy into chaos.
MMD presidential aspirant Dr Nevers (right) and his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota after appearing before investigative wings at the former Taskforce on corruption offices in Lusaka.
Former Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada, Nevers Mumba yesterday opted to remain silent when he appeared before a combined team of investigative wings of government at the former taskforce on corruption offices.
Dr. Mumba was able to speak to the media claiming allegations leveled against him are baseless.Dr Mumba is alleged to have solicited and received more than half a billion Kwacha from Barrick Gold, purporting to fund a Zambian cultural week in Canada.
“We have made our position very clear that there was no such thing that happened that they are talking about. So I just came to make that one statement that they are talking about private money and not public money that was given as a sponsorship to Amayenga to come and perform in Canada”
Dr Mumba said that he was disappointed with what was going on. He urged MMD members to be strong and organise the people and said that if investigative wings have questions, he was ready to go to court and answer those questions.
According to joint investigative wings Spokesperson, Charity Chanda, Dr. Mumba exercised his constitutional right not to respond to any questions from the officers.
She said that the investigating team will explore other options including recalling Dr. Mumba as investigations in the matter progress.
And Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba says investigations being carried out on some former leaders in the MMD government are justified because people want to know whether they stole tax-payers’ money or not.
Mr Kabimba said in an interview over the weekend that law enforcement agencies should arrest and prosecute all former leaders who are alleged to have misappropriated public funds.
He said once arrested and prosecuted, such former leaders will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Mr Kabimba said he is disappointed that some former leaders allegedly abused public resources despite being aware of the suffering most Zambians go through.
“I think it will be unfair to Zambians to allow former leaders who are alleged to have stolen public funds to go without being probed. There arevarious allegations that have been levelled against them which need to be cleared,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said the PF government will only show its commitment to fighting corruption when it ensures that all former leaders suspected of having plundered national resources are arrested and prosecuted.
“When we were campaigning, we promised the people of Zambia that we will fight corruption when ushered into office and we have already started showing our commitments towards this fight.
“We want all the people who have plundered public funds at the expense of development to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Mr Kabimba said.
Mr Kabimba said the crusade against corruption is being done without malice. He called on Zambians to support President Sata’s resolve to rid the country of corruption.
As Zambia gears for their quaterfinal encounter with Sudan this weekend ,hopes are high that this year Zambia will do very well in the AFCON.
Here is a look back at the 1994 team that was rebuilt after the Gabon disaster . They were able to soldier on after the tradgic accident and almost qualified for the world cup .
Zone fam won an award for Best African Group at the Global Music Awards . The other nominees in their category were ;
1- Blacberry crase – Britella
2- Fly But ghetto – Chizika
3- Highcuts – A2 Empire
4- Like you – Afro Geng
The 1st Global African music awards unveiled its winners list , the nominees were from all over Africa . The big star of the night went to Nigerian artist, Ng(Don Zubi Entertainment). He picked up GOLD for Best African Male Artist, Best Collaboration with Kelly Handsome and tied for Song of The Year with Dare David. He also walked away with a Silver award in the Best R&B artist.
The rest of the wins was very well spread out and the closest other big winner of the night went to Young Stunna who took Gold for Best Hip-hop solo act, a Silver in Best African Male Artist and a Bornze in Song the Year for his collaboration with James Baum on the song, Top Priority.
