A 10-MONTH-OLD baby girl was shot in the arm in Ndola’s Twapia township on Saturday as baby-snatchers struggled with her parents. And police in Ndola have launched a manhunt for the three armed thieves who shot the baby.

Copperbelt acting commanding officer Milner Muyambango said the shooting happened around 22:00 hours. “Police have since launched a man hunt for a group of three people that were putting on black attire and masks, who confronted a couple and tried to snatch a baby from them around 22:00 hours in Twapia,” he said.

Mr Muyambango said after failing to grab the child from its courageous parents, one of the suspected bandits shot the baby in the arm. He named the baby as Queen Mwelwa, who is currently admitted to Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital.

A check at the health institution by a Mail team found the baby in a hospital bed. The baby had a bandage on her right hand, but was playing normally under the watchful eye of her mother, who was standing by the bedside.

Lucy Mwelwa, the mother of the baby, said she and her husband were going to visit a sick relative when the bandits attacked them. Mrs Mwelwa, who was in company of her husband at the hospital, said three people confronted them and tried to snatch the baby. She said the couple struggled with the suspected thieves and after the assailants failed to grab the baby, two of them ran away.

Mrs Mwelwa said the bandit who remained shot the baby’s arm. “I heard the gun shot, but I only noticed when the Chitenge material became wet because of the blood from the baby after she started crying,” she said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

LEADER of the opposition in the National Assembly Felix Mutati says political parties will work as a united force to offer constructive criticism to ensure the commitments made by the government are implemented.

Mr Mutati said the opposition will not work to frustrate the Patriotic Front government’s policies as alleged by some sections of the media. “The opposition is going to be positive in dealing with issues coming up in Parliament… our principal agenda is to deliver development to the people of Zambia,” Mr Mutati said.
He was speaking in an interview yesterday.

Mr Mutati, who is MMD Lunte member of Parliament, said the main item on the agenda of the opposition is to ensure Zambians benefit from the much-needed development.
He said the opposition will render support through constructive criticism to the government.

Mr Mutati, who is also former minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, said President Sata’s speech to Parliament was development centred. He said the opposition will remind Government to implement the commitments it made for the people of Zambia.

“We also want to see a place in the budget for the pronouncement made on infrastructure development. We shall push them to work,” he said. Mr Mutati said the PF, being a new government, is bound to make mistakes, but that the opposition will not dramatise its errors.

“As they work they will make mistakes, but as a united opposition will not going to dramatise that,” he said. He said the opposition will offer checks and balances on a continuous basis on the commitments made on development.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

PRESIDENT Sata says his government will remain resolute on the fight against corruption to help put Zambia back on the path of social and sustainable economic development.
Mr Sata said corruption is a cancer which derails national development, and that meaningful sustainable development can only be achieved if the vice is wiped out of the country.

President Sata said this in his address to the nation last evening ahead of today’s Zambia’s 47th independence anniversary, whose theme is, Rejuvenating our Prosperity, Patriotism through the Fight against Corruption.

He said the Patriotic Front (PF) government has declared a zero tolerance to corruption because Zambia is in a hurry to develop and improve the lives of its citizens.
“Corruption is a cancer which delays and derails national development by fattening the pockets of a few selfish individuals at the expense of the majority.

“It is for this reason that the PF government intends to rejuvenate the fight against corruption and greed so that we may achieve prosperity and patriotism,” President Sata said.

He said the government will remain resolute to improving the lives of its people because of the overwhelming mandate that the Zambian people have given it to fulfill the promises made during the election campaigns and subsequent pronouncements.

President Sata said the Zambian people have lost their dignity in their own country because they have been deliberately impoverished through theft and plunder by the people in whom they entrusted their well-being.

President Sata said Zambia is in a hurry to move forward and hungry for development. The PF government has, therefore, declared zero tolerance on corruption to help build a better and prosperous nation.

“By putting us in office, your message was loud and clear. You wanted a better Zambia, a Zambia in which corruption, poverty, injustice and indignity are no more.
“A Zambia of equal opportunities for all, a Zambia where hard work, honesty, integrity and patriotism are not options but hallmarks of citizens’ commitment to the national cause,” he said.

President Sata said the PF government will remain firm on fulfilling all its election promises in realising its vision for a better Zambia. He said using the overwhelming mandate the people gave to the party, Government intends to ensure that it does all it can to uplift the living standards of the people.

“Today, the 24th October, 2011, we celebrate our 47th independence anniversary. It is a time when Zambians should have great joy and pride in themselves and their country.
“We celebrate our liberty and freedom from the shackles of colonialism, freedom from indignity and oppression that we suffered at the hands of our colonial masters. Indeed, freedom to govern and determine our own future, our destiny in building our own nation,” President Sata said.

He said even as the country celebrates 47 years of independence, Zambians should not trust in the arm of man, but thank God for his mercies for giving the people peace and unity despite the country facing many failures and challenges.

President Sata said Zambians should thank God for guiding the country peacefully through the September 20 tripartite elections as well as bringing the people together.
He said elections are now over and that the will of the majority has spoken, hence the need for all Zambians to pull together and put aside partisan interests and contribute effectively to national development.

President Sata called on all Zambians to join hands in working for a better Zambia for all.

“Let us spend our time as productively as possible while your government puts in motion policies and programmes that will trigger the creation of jobs, wealth and more money into people’s pockets.

“The independence we celebrate today was attained at a great cost. Our founding fathers and mothers spared nothing in freeing us from the yoke of colonialism. No pain was too hard for them to bear, no load was too heavy to carry, no life was too precious to lose for the cause of freedom, prosperity and dignity for mother Zambia,” he said.

President Sata said the independence anniversary is a time to renew people’s individual and collective commitment to building a better and more prosperous Zambia as envisioned by the country’s founding fathers and mothers.

He said the freedom is meaningless if it is not translated into better living standards through more jobs for the people.

President Sata called on all Zambians to renew their commitment to and patriotism in building a Zambia where every youth, every mother, every father, uncle and aunt will find a job, decent shelter, clothing and food.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Malawian Vice President Joyce Banda has arrived in the country for a private visit. Vice President Banda arrived at Dr Kenneth Kaunda International Airport aboard an Air Malawi flight at exactly 10: 10 hours amid tight security.

Vice President Dr Guy Scott was on hand to receive his Malawian counterpart and immediately proceeded to greet ruling Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who were dancing and singing solidarity songs.

Lusaka Province Minister Miles Sampa and Acting Lusaka District Commissioner Martha Mwitumwa were also on hand to receive Vice President Banda. ZANIS reports that upon arrival Vice President Dr Scott and his Malawian counterpart where immediately driven to Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel where she will be lodging during her visit.

While at Pamodzi Hotel, Vice President Dr Guy Scott and his Malawian counterpart held private talks and journalists who followed from the airport to have an interview with the visiting Vice President were advised to leave as Ms Banda would not brief them on her mission to Zambia because she was in the country in her private capacity.

Recently, Zambia and Malawi have come under spotlight following President Michael Sata’s refusal to honour an invitation by that country’s President Dr Mbingu Wa Mutarika to attend the just ended COMESA summit. The President instead delegated Vice President Dr. Guy Scott who attended on behalf of Zambia.

President Sata’s refusal to honour the invitation followed his un-ceremonial ejection from that country in 2007 when he was an opposition leader and was invited to Malawi by former president Bakili Muluzi.

To this effect, Mr Sata demanded that the Malawian government should furnish him with reasons for his deportation.

The Malawian government has since revoked the ban on Mr. Sata to that country where he was declared a prohibited immigrant and said President Sata would be accorded all entitlements of a Head of State.

Malawi, like many other neighbouring countries have enjoyed cordial relations with Zambia since independence from the British colonial masters on 24th October, 1964.

ZANIS

Vice President Guy Scott has assured farmers in the country that Government would finish paying them their dues through the Food Reserve Agency by 31st October this year.
Speaking during the Kulamba Kubwalo traditional Ceremony of the Lenje speaking people held in Chibombo yesterday, Dr Scott said if there would be cases of some farmers not paid their dues by the specified date, his office should be informed so that he could direct FRA to do as stated.

He also informed farmers that all the farming inputs for the 2011/2012 farming season were in place and that Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives would ensure that the inputs were distributed by November this year.

The Vice President said contrary to what the former ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) indicated in their quest to de-campaign the Patriotic Front (PF) that it would terminate free distribution of farming inputs once it came to power, Government would continue with the Fertiliser Support Programme and that this time Soya Beans has been included in the package to allow farmers to widen their horizons.

Dr. Scott said it was Government’s intention to see a better Zambia with economic values and that it wanted proper farming methods for farming and hoped that the inclusion of Soya Beans on the FSP programme would enhance crop diversification and subsequently boost the country’s economy.

He thanked the people of Chibombo for their support during the elections and said the main reason he was attending the ceremony was not because he was Vice President but because he grew up in Lenje land and just wanted to know how his tribesmen were doing after the elections.

Dr. Scott, was accompanied to the ceremony by Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Mary Kawandami.

Later, speaking when he met PF party officials at Chibombo District Council Chamber, Dr. Scott said the victory experienced by the ruling party was not a mere victory but the hand of God.

He said the PF faced a lot of intimidation and character assassination by the ruling MMD and that it was never possible for the PF to emerge victorious without the glorious hand of God which he said he would forever be grateful to.

The Vice President said PF was happy to have won three Parliamentary seats out of the 14 seats in Central Province especially that Central Province was an MMD stronghold.
He said PF would have actually done much better in many constituencies and even scooped the Muchinga Constituency seat had it not been for the fact that former Vice President George Kunda had spent a lot of state resources to win the elections.

However, Dr Scott said his Government was happy with the people of Central Province and would ensure that they delivered on their campaign promises.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Central Province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama, Opposition MMD Provincial Chairlady Grace Mulando, Kembe MMD Member of Parliament Ronnie Shikapwasha, Former Member of Parliament for Kapiri Friday Malwa, among others.

ZANIS

Vice President’s wife Charlotte Scott has emphasised the need for young people to have vital information that would enable them live better so that they could make informed decisions to unplanned teenage pregnancies.

Mrs. Scott noted that these unplanned pregnancies in young girls mostly led to unsafe abortions and high prevalence rate of HIV.

ZANIS reports that speaking when she officiated at the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) general conference at Andrews Motel in Lusaka today, the second lady observed that if the country did not pay particular attention to the young people’s sexual and reproductive health needs, it’s future was being risked.

She said it was therefore important to enforce and safeguard the reproductive health rights of the young people by creating an environment in which they would easily access information and services needed.

Mrs. Scott also called upon young people in Zambia to fully participate in programmes that were meant to benefit them.

She further noted that the association had served Zambia for a long time trying to meet the reproductive health needs and aspirations of the Zambian people.

Mrs. Scott observed that the role of PPAZ was to promote good reproductive health among women, men and the youth.

And The Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) has urged teenage girls in the country to be responsible and have protected sex if they cannot abstain.

Executive Director Edford Mutuma said there is need for young people to have critical information that will enable them to lead empowered lives in the country.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS on the sidelines of the PPAZ general conference in Lusaka today, he said there is need for the country to continue providing services to the communities to help young people realise their rights and achieve goals.

He added that this will facilitate a society whose people have access to equal and affordable sexual and reproductive health services.

Mr. Mutuma also called on teenage girls to desist from unprotected sex as it leads to unplanned pregnancies and abortions which can endanger their lives.

He also implored young people to make informed decisions at all times.

Mr. Mutuma further noted that Zambia is currently faced with a high number of maternal mortality adding that having teenagers being pregnant at early stages is a clear indication that they lacked information.

He also appealed to young girls to be partners with various stakeholders in reducing the number of early pregnancies in the country.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you’ ”
(Matthew 9:29, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God created us as visual beings. He is a creative God, and He’s given us the ability to create as well. It all starts with what you see in your mind’s eye. Everyone has their own mental picture of the way they see themselves, their family and their future. This picture determines what kind of life you live. If you have an image of success, victory, health, happiness and abundance, you will naturally gravitate toward that. But if you have an image of lack, defeat and mediocrity, that negative mental picture will keep you from God’s best.

Remember, if you’re going to be successful, you have to first see yourself as successful — the way God sees you. According to your faith, it will be done to you.

Faith comes by hearing the Word. That’s why it’s so important to take time every day to study and meditate on God’s promises. Let His truth sink down deeply into your heart. Open your eyes of faith so you can see yourself rising higher. Choose to have a vision of victory and be all that you can see!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I pray today that You would open the eyes of my heart and reveal Yourself to me. Show me Your ways. Show me Your love. Help me to see myself the way You see me so that I can be all that You have created me to be in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Commerce Minister Robert Sichinga says he will not hesitate to recommend the dissolution of non-performing Board of Directors of Parastatal companies. Mr Sichinga has given parastatal companies that fall under his Ministry three months to create sector codes, saying Government will impose sector codes if they fail to do so.

He said parastatal companies have a critical role to play in realising the Patriotic Front’s dream of putting more money in people’s pockets through the creation of employment.

Mr Sichinga said this dream cannot be realised if the country fails to create employment for people in the country. The minister was speaking in Lusaka yesterday after conducting a familiarisation tour of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and the Consumer Competition and Protection Commission (CCPC).

He noted that CEEC has not been discharging its mandate to the expectation of the Zambian people saying only 40 percent of its loans were being paid back.

He urged management to ensure that loans it disburses to the people are paid back to service others.

The Minister also urged CEEC to ensure it comes up with a minimum amount of loan for disbursement to public to avoid giving huge sums to one individual.

Mr Sichinga said the PF Government would demand for transparency in the manner empowerment funds were disbursed to the public to ensure equitable distribution of funds among citizens.

He also promised to ensure there was no political interference in the operations of the Commission.

And Mr Sichinga has given parastatal companies that fall under his ministry three months to create sector codes, saying Government would impose sector codes if they failed to do so.

He stated that sector codes were important because they gauged the performance of institutions hence the need for every sector in the country to develop these..

Speaking earlier, CEEC Board Chairperson Overs Banda bemoaned the erratic release of funds to CEEC for its empowerment programmes.

Mr Banda disclosed that Government had this year only released K18 billion of its K40 billion budget saying the K22 billion balance had not yet been released until now.

He said CEEC was ready to support Government in realising its dream of empowering citizens to enable their contribution to the country’s economic development.

Mr Banda said the Commission was fully committed to ensuring that it addressed the economic imbalance existing among people in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Sichinga has urged the Consumer Competition and Protection Commission (CCPC) to be professional, impartial and to stick to the law in the execution of its mandate.

Mr Sichinga said Government wants zero tolerance to corruption in an effort to ensure that public resources were prudently utilised.

He further urged the Commission to remain steadfast in protecting consumers against counterfeit products that were being imported into the country.

And CCPC Board Chairperson Benard Chiwala said the Commission had set four objectives that it would endeavour to implement in the next five years in a bid to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Mr Chiwala said the Commission would ensure that there was consumer protection, and that its effectiveness was strengthened.

He said the Commission would further enhance its visibility and ensure that companies complied with the law on competition.

ZANIS