The Minister for Information has asked for reports from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Police and the organisers of the Born and Bred Music awards by the end of today.

Given Lubinda’s request follows complaints from Members of the public of the immorality that characterized the televised event and is demanding that steps be taken.

Mr. Lubinda who is also minister for tourism is particularly concerned with scenes of alcohol consumption and footage of people wearing clothes that were too revealing.

The live programme on the national broadcaster, was on air for over five hours.

As he addressed journalist in Lusaka on Friday, the minister seriously warned the media against abuse of the freedom which the patriotic front government has given them to operate independently.

He says the ministry will not tolerate the public media to broadcast obscene pictures that may corrupt public morals.

The minister says the conduct of patrons and organizers and the general organization of the programme fell far below public expectations.

THE Government has advised MMD presidential aspirant Kabinga Pande to concentrate on his campaign instead of dragging the Patriotic Front (PF) in his ill-conceived rhetoric.

Information, Broadcasting and Tourism minister Given Lubinda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Pande had diverted his energies from rebuilding his party to attacking the PF Government.

He said Mr Pande who is Kasempa Member of Parliament should stop cheap publicity meant to propel his desperate desire to ascend to the MMD presidency.

The minister was reacting to accusations by Mr Pande at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday that the PF government was tribal and had embarked on ‘trial and error.’

But Mr Lubinda said it was clear that Mr Pande wanted to spark debate with the Government in order to boost his chances of taking over the MMD leadership.

The minister said Mr Pande should concentrate his campaigns on issues within the MMD and explain to the people what he intended to do
instead of misdirecting his efforts.

[Times of Zambia]

President Sata has terminated the appointment of Hon. Lukulo Katombora as Southern Province minister.

President Sata says the decision to relieve Hon. Katombora of his duties was with immediate effect.

This is contained in a statement issued to Lusakatimes by George Chellah the Special Assistant to the President for press and public relations.

Consequently, the Head of State has transferred Hon. Miles Sampa from Lusaka to Southern Province in the same capacity.

And the President has appointed Kanyama PF Member of Parliament Hon. Gerry Chanda as Lusaka Province Minister.

President Sata has also appointed Mwansabombwe PF Member of Parliament Hon. Rogers Mwewa as the new minister for the Copperbelt Province.

Hon. Mwewa replaces Hon. John Kufuna who the Head of State says will be allocated a new ministry in a little while.

The President has also appointed three opposition MMD members of Parliament as deputy ministers.

These are: Mr. Elijah Muchima (Mwinilunga West), Mr. Stephen Masumba (Mufumbwe) and Mr. Isaac Banda (Lumezi). “These three colleagues will be allocated ministries shortly,” President Sata says.

“I would like to advise my colleagues who have been appointed to ensure that they work to the satisfaction of the Zambian people. We must guard against any form of abuse of state resources. Let us manage people’s resources in the most transparent and accountable manner.”

PARLIAMENT heard yesterday that the MMD Government borrowed US$145 million before the September elections in order to finance road programmes in a hurry.

Acting Finance and National Planning Minister Emmanuel Chenda told the House in a policy statement on estimates of revenue for his ministry that as a result of the move, the country’s target to raise the U$500 million bond has been reduced.

“This means that the planned amount for the bond reduced. One indication is in the numerous enquiries, which we have received from both local and international prospectors on our intended issuance of a sovereign bond.

“Indications are that the bond might be over-subscribed thereby giving us leeway to raise it to around $700 million. We are working on a mechanism to float a public tender so that there is fair competition, from both local and foreign prospectors,” Mr Chenda said.

He noted that the B+ rating for Zambia improved investor confidence and created conditions in which increased borrowing from the international community to finance infrastructure needs were more affordable.

Mr Chenda, who is Agriculture and Livestock Minister said with the change of Government, commitment to corruption fight, strengthening of the public service and corporate governance had improved confidence locally and internationally.

In 2012, his ministry would focus on building stakeholder confidence by consolidating the existing policies and programmes with the aspirations of the PF Government by strengthening legislation in various areas.

The minister said Government would have provisions for competitive tender participation unlike what obtained previously.
“We will consign any public officer, in any ministry, any province, or any other public institution who perpetrates or entertains acts of impropriety, misuse of resources, and disregard of procurement regulations – to law enforcement agencies for prosecution and moral rehabilitation,” Mr Chenda cautioned.

Mr Chenda noted that it was not correct to continue to live with the perception that the public service was the axis of corruption and
financial indiscipline in Zambia.

The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) would be involved in negotiations with development partners and other financiers, to ensure that the observance of procurement procedures was watertight.

And Education Minister John Phiri in winding up policy debate on his ministry noted that the Government would continue to develop
infrastructure at secondary, primary and tertiary levels throughout Zambia.
[Times of Zambia]

President Michael Sata says the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region has made progress on peace, stability and democratization over the past two years.

President Sata noted that this is despite pockets of conflicts and political crises within the region.

President Sata is confident the deliberations of the on-going Heads of States Summit on the Great Lakes Region in Kampala, Uganda will draw on principles of democracy and good governance.

He said the holding of free and fair democratic elections in a number of member states, are also indications of the collective efforts aimed at forging peaceful relations among nations in the region.

ZANIS reports that the President was speaking in Kampala yesterday when he delivered a key note address to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Summit.

At the same occassion President Sata handed over the chairmanship of the ICGLR to his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni.

And President Museveni told the fully packed conference hall that the problem of sexual and gender based violence could only be solved by coming up with legislation that criminalizes the offence.

[ZNBC]

This week was the 2011 Mr Zambia competition . It was held at Taj Pamodzi Motel in Lusaka.  About 90 men were flexing their muscles for the top prize.  In the end the reigning MR Zambia , Sylvester Mwila , regained his title. It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to develop a super hero-like body. All the participants should be commended .

Here are some pictures from the event

The participants

 Flexing Back Muscles

Showing off their muscles 

  The participants flexing

Mwila displaying his chest and biceps 

The winner

BY KAPA187