File:President Sata with Lameck Mangani and defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba
Press Statement
The rumoured claims of a power struggle are non-existent in so far as the PF is concerned because there is, currently, and in the foreseeable future, no vacancy in the position of president.
All leaders in the PF and those in government positions are more concerned about delivering to the people of Zambia within the mandate given to the party, and will most certainly not do anything to sabotage that priority.
The Patriotic Front (PF) has remained united around the common purpose of serving the nation and no amount of media talk and speculation will derail it from its continued progress in implementing programmes aimed at promoting economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction.
The PF is unmoved by daily comments in the media regarding some of its senior members as most of these utterances are coming from outside the party.
Instead, the party is focused on its continued growth and in ensuring that the government delivers to the expectations of the Zambians.
It is important that the internal workings of democracy are allowed to run their course and as such the party will not be drawn into unnecessary panic over imaginary divisions which in reality do not exist.
In a mature and strong political establishment such as the PF, the emergence of different points of view on a number of issues at any level cannot be interpreted as divisions, but as evidence of an effective intra-party democratic mechanism.
PF members countrywide should not fall prey to any trap set by enemies of the party to cause disunity.
Ariel’s Debut Video Smile Again will this month , October, start to air on American entertainment channel B.E.T. It will premiere on BET’s “The Heat” program. It will also be airing on HITV & VOX Tv respectively.
Ariel had this to say :
“A special thanks to Basement Entertainment in the UK for helping push good quality Zambian music in the diaspora. Special thanks to Elite Records, Artisteq Vibes, my Video Producer and crew, and everyone else who supports my Music. This is just the beginning. Above all, God has been good to me all the time.”
In April 2012, Ariel received a double nomination at the 1st ever Indie Music Channel Awards in the United States of America for his Official Debut single “Smile Again”. This was later followed by a local Award nomination in Kharkov, Ukraine at the Kharkov African Music Awards as Best Artist with Kaj.
He is set to release another Video in a collaboration with Cameroon’s Derrick Buma this Friday.
Pictures of funeral for Mama Betty Kaunda sent by LT Blogger
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Mourners surround the casket for Mama Betty Kaunda during the requiem mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka
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Dr Kaunda with family members and friends during the funeral of Mama Betty Kaunda
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Dr Kaunda overcome with emotion during the funeral of Mama Betty Kaunda
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First Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda and former president Rupiah Banda arrive at the burial site.
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Former Vice President during Kaunda’s reign Grey Zulu arrives at the burial site with his wife
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Mama Betty Kaunda being laid to rest
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Pole bearers lower the coffin into the grave
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President Kaunda lays a wreath on his late wife Betty Kaunda’s grave
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Family members kneel at grave site
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Former President Rupiah Banda lays a wreath at the grave
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Acting President Alexander Chikwanda and his wife lay a wreath at the grave
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Dignitaries lay wreathes at Mama Betty Kaundas grave
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Mama Betty Kaunda’s grave site covered in flowers
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Defence forces give a gun salute in honour of Mama Betty Kaunda
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A female rower cools during the 2012 Reggata held under the theme,”Rowing Against Gender-based violence
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A male Rower being n attended to after fainting during the 2012 Reggatta knock out stages
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WOMEN POWER: Female team battle it out for a place during the 2012 Reggatta which attracted about 32 teams (both male and female) from different parts of the country.
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The womens team battle it out during the 2012 Reggatta which attracted about 32 teams (both male and female) from different parts of the country.
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Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia T. Masebo when she paid a courtesy call on the UNWTO Secretary General Mr. Taleb Rifai,during a four day working visit to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretariat in Madrid, Spain.
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Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia T. Masebo led a delegation to Spain, accompanied by Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Peter Kasanda and senior officials from the Zambian Mission in Paris and the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.
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A little boy stands besides the rumble of what was once his home.Over 100 homes were demolished in Lusaka’s Chinika industrial area following a court order that declared the houses to have been illegally built on land belonging to Mushe Milling Company
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Scores of people look in disbelief at their demolished houses in Lusaka’s Chinika Industrial area
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A man stands by his demolished house following a court ruling that the houses were illegal
POLICE in Mongu on Friday blocked MMD from holding an indoor meeting of provincial party leaders and ordinary members which was supposed to be addressed by vice-president for political affairs Michael Kaingu.
Dr. Kaingu expressed concern at the police decision claiming there were no reasons given for disallowing the meeting from proceeding.
But Western Province police commissioner Fanwell Siandenge cited ‘security concerns’ as the reason for disallowing the meeting from proceeding as scheduled.
He said in an interview yesterday that on the day the MMD meeting was scheduled to take place, Barotse activists detained in Kaoma were also appealing in court for trial on a charge of conduct likely to breach the peace.
“We received a notification from the MMD about the meeting,” Mr Siandenge said. “But we had to look at the security of the place. On that very day, the people we have detained (Barotse activists) were in court for trial.”
He described the situation in Mongu as ‘volatile’, hence the reason police could not risk making matters worse, plus the notice was short.
“They notified us three days before the intended meeting. The law states that we should be notified seven days before. Also, because of the time factor, we could not allow the meeting to take place,” he said.
Dr Kaingu said the meeting was planned for him to interact with party members in the province.
“The provincial leadership organised an indoor meeting so that I could go and greet our members but we received information that the police will not entertain our meeting,” he said.
Dr Kaingu said it is surprising that the Patriotic Front (PF) was allowed to hold a meeting on Sunday in Chilanga where some 300 MMD members defected to the ruling party.
Youths in the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) havs said that Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba should not wait for the Anti Corruption Commission to conclude investigations in his corruption allegations for him to step-down.
UPND youth national coordinator Brian Mizinga has said that the two cabinet ministers, Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and his Defence counterpart Geoffrey Mwamba should instead step aside on moral ground.
Mizinga said that considering that the ACC is controlled by the executive, there is no possible way the commission can bring out any evidence while the two ministers are still serving.
He told QFM that it is only morally right that the two ministers resign on their own and that if the corruption allegations leveled against them are not established, there will be nothing wrong for them with being re-appointed.
Yesterday Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said that he is ready to quit as minister if the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) finds concrete evidence to prove that he influenced the awarding of the oil procurement tender to Trafigura.
[pullquote]“I want to assure the nation that as soon as the allegations are proven to me and they go beyond what is in the press, I owe the people of Zambia to act exemplary and step down as minister of Justice,” he said. [/pullquote]
Mr Kabimba who is Patriotic Front(PF) Secretary-General said he would not hesitate to quit his position as minister of Justice should the ACC establish traits of corruption in their preliminary inquiries on allegations that his company received kick backs in the process leading to the awarding of the oil deal to Trafigura.
Mr Kabimba told journalist in Lusaka yesterday that he was happy that the preliminary inquiries by the ACC were based on media reports saying the Commission has not yet written to him regarding the matter and that he was ready to cooperate once approached.
Mr. Kabimba stressed that it would be wrong to expect him to quit on mere media allegations, whose veracity and genuineness had not been established, as this might set a precedent where some unscrupulous people might take advantage and start raising groundless claims for the purpose of forcing innocent leaders out of their positions.
He added that he had accepted to serve in government for the sole purpose of helping the country and its people strengthen good governance, and promote equitable justice, democracy and development for all Zambians, and was not about to depart from these ideals.
“I am glad that the ACC has stated that the allegations are based on press statements. I can assure you that as soon as I receive those allegations from the ACC, not through the press, I will not hesitate to call it quits,” he said.
He urged the ACC to pursue their investigations vigorously and expeditiously and tell the Zambians the truth about the wrong doings he had allegedly committed.
“I want to assure the nation that as soon as the allegations are proven to me and they go beyond what is in the press, I owe the people of Zambia to act exemplary and step down as minister of Justice,” he said.
The Minister said he would not be influenced by media reports to quit his position to pave way for investigations.
OVER 30 public service minibuses and other vehicles were yesterday destroyed in an inferno in a car park in Lusaka’s Kanyama Township. Here, residents salvaging spare parts from the remains
The Zambia Police Service in Lusaka has launched investigations into the cause of a fire in which 34 vehicles were burnt to ashes at the Islamic car park in Lusaka’s Kanyama township.
The incident happened in the early hours of today between 02.00 hours and 03.00 hours.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the 34 vehicles included 24 mini buses, 2 vannettes , and 8 cars whose value has not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, Police recorded five murder cases, two defilements, one arson and three fatal accidents in which three people died on the spot during the weekend.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela disclosed that in Northern Province police discovered the body of a man only identified as Justine Bwalya aged 27 of Mponda village in Kasama.
Ms. Kanjela said the victim appeared to be severely beaten as he sustained a swollen face and was discovered without a shirt on the scene.
The Police spokesperson confirmed that two suspects have since been apprehended to assist with investigations while the body of Bwalya is lying in Kasama General Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.
In an another development, Police in central province have launched a manhunt for Kelvin Hikapande who attempted to kill Sebastian Hamulube aged 39 of Kapiri Mposhi using a short gun.
Ms. Kanjela explained the incident occurred on October 7, 2012 around 15:00hours in Chief Chipepo’s area in Kapiri district and that the victim sustained four bullet wounds on the right thigh.
The Police spokesperson has further appealed to members of the public who may have information leading to the apprehension of Kelvin Hikapande to come forward and assist the Police.
She said that in Western province a road traffic accident case has been recorded in which one person died after he fell off a moving vehicle.
Ms. Kanjela confirmed that the incident occurred on October 6, 2012 around 23:00hours at Looma area along the Mongu- Lusaka road.
She said the incident involved an unidentified man aged between 20 and 25 years of unknown address .
Ms. Kanjela noted that the particulars of the driver are not yet known and that the victim sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot.
She explained that the body of the deceased is lying in Lewanika General Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.
The Law Association of Zambia -LAZ- has written to Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota asking him to respond to the matter in which former Mahtani Group of Companies lawyer Zaheeda Esssa has complained of professional misconduct.
LAZ has as a result of Essa’s letter advised Mr Sikota to respond to it within 48 hours.
However, the letter which is dated 1st October 2012 has not yet reached Mr. Sikota’s law firm-Central Chambers.
The LAZ letter is also copied to Essa, who is the complainant in the matter.
Police have also confirmed receiving a complaint letter from Essa and an affidavit where she documented a series of activities she alleges she was made to do to tarnish the image of the Mahtani Group of Companies.
The letter has also been made available to ZNBC News in Lusaka.
LAZ states in the letter that the Legal Practitioners Committee will proceed to hear and determine Essa’s complaint in the absence of Mr. Sikota’s response.
Essa states that her complaint was against Mr. Sikota and his clients Mohamed Salama, Odysseas Mandanakis and Antonio Ventriglia, whom she accused of committing alleged extortion.
ZESCO LTD engineers inspecting power pylons at Kafue Gorge station’
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation –ZESCO will spend an estimated K4 billion to construct concrete fences around its pylons in selected parts of Lusaka.
The project is aimed at securing electricity cables situated on Los Angeles boulevard, Mumbwa road, Chiboyla, Kafue road and behind Soweto market.
This follows calls by residents of Misisi township to ZESCO and the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to remove charcoal traders conducting their business under the pylons.
Acting ZESCO MD Christopher Mubemba said a project design has already been done awaiting full implementation to deter the trading of charcoal under the pylons.
Mr. Mubemba said it was unfortunate that the charcoal traders have not adhered to calls by the power utility company about the dangers of them continuing to trade under the pylons.
He added that ZESCO will not tolerate the charcoal traders to continue conducting their business under its pylons warning that stern action will be taken against those that found wanting.
Mr. Mubemba pointed out that the power utility has conducted enough sensitization campaigns on the dangers of conducting business under the pylons as people risk being electrocuted in the event of a fault.
Mr. Mubemba who is also ZESCO Director for transmission development also warned against any form of vandalism on the concrete fences once constructed.
He pointed out that there is need for people to jealously guard ZESCO infrastructure as they are national assets.
Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has charged that Movement for Multi Party Democracy(MMD) president Dr. Nerves Mumba should be realistic and learn to appreciate.
Mr. Sakeni said Dr. Mumba should appreciate the achievements that Zambia has recorded under the leadership of President Michael Sata adding that the Patriotic Front government has managed in a few months it has been in office to do the things the MMD failed to do when they were in power.
Commenting on Dr. Mumba’s assessment PF government’s one year in power in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Sakeni told ZANIS in a telephone interview that the Patriotic Front government has done tremendously well compared to the MMD government which he said personalised government institutions citing the media as one of the institution that was abused at the expense of the public’s right to know the truth.
Mr. Sakeni said that it was too early for anyone to judge the PF government adding that most of the programs that have been done are a continuation of some projects that were started by the MMD to allegedly hoodwink the voters but that the Patriotic Front government is working towards finishing such works for the good of the people.
He said the PF government will not wait for election time for it to deliver to the people like the former ruling party which he said only worked when it was election time.
He charged that Dr. Mumba and the MMD should be the last ones to comment on the operations of the media today saying the media is today free than ever before in the country.
He also charged that during the MMD rule the opposition parties was never given a platform to air their views like it is today apart from being given the negative publicity by the then government controlled media houses.
Mr. Sakeni said the MMD should also take note and appreciate the major achievements that the PF government has made citing areas such as education, health and the road infrastructure which are currently receiving total rehabilitation while other will be constructed from scratch.
He said these development will open up the rest of the country to development.
Earlier yesterday Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba accused the Patriotic Front government of having failed the Zambian people.
Dr. Mumba told journalists in Lusaka that the only thing the PF government has achieved in the last one year has been the enactment of the Abuse of Authority Clause.
Two braces marked a prolific weekend for Zambian players abroad at their respective leagues.
In South Africa, out-of-favour Zambia striker Collins Mbesuma scored a brace in Orlando Pirates 3-1 away win at fourth positioned and promoted University of Pretoria.
Mbesuma sparked second placed Pirates rally after falling 1-0 behind on 12 minutes with the equaliser on 28 minute and added his second in the 67th minute.
Also on Sunday, another out-of-favour player this time midfielder Clifford Mulenga scored the opening goal in 10th positioned SuperSports 3-3 away draw at Black Leopards.
Both Mulenga and Mbesuma have two South African Premiership goals for their respective teams this season.
And in China, James Chamanga put two past Liaoning Whowin but his side Dalian Shide still went on to lose 3-2 away.
The brace brings Chamanga’s tally to 11 goals this season with three games left to play for third from bottom Shide.
Still in China, Zambia captain Christopher Katongo scored his ninth goal of the season in Henan Jianye’s 3-1 home loss against Hangzhou.
Isaac Chansa also played in the match but was substituted in the 46th minute.
Meanwhile, Henan’s stay in the China Super League is looking very precarious with three games to go.
Henan are bottom in 16th place and defeat in their next game away to sixth placed Tianjin Teda on October 20 will see them relegated.
Nkana coach Zeddy Saileti has hailed club striker Evans Kangwa for winning the 2011 Junior Sports Man of the Year Award.
Kangwa was among several sports personalities honoured by the National Sports Council of Zambia at last Friday’s revived sports personalty awards in Lusaka.
Saileti said Kangwa deserved to win the award.
” Yes, he deserve to win the award. I am happy for him, last year he was instrumental, he played so many games and scored a lot of goals,” he said.
Saileti stated that Kangwa’s achievement was a motivation to the entire team.
” This is fantastic for me. He is part of us and we have a good team spirit which is good for him and the team,” he added.
Last year, Kangwa was the joint top scorer with 16 league goals and he further won the 2011 COSAFA Youth Championship with the Zambia Under 20 in Botswana.
The youngster was also a member of the Africa Cup winning Chipolopolo squad earlier this year.
Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba has been ruled of Saturday crucial 2013 Africa Cup qualifier away to Uganda in Kampala because of injury.
TP Mazembe revealed that Kalaba sustained a groin injury in his Congolese side’s 0-0 Africa Champions League semi-final draw against Esperance on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe team doctor Taha Messaoud told BBC Sport:”He needs a minimum seven days to be back in training. His injury is not too bad but he needs a lot of care. It will be very difficult for him to play by weekend.”
Confirming his injury, Kalaba said he was disappointed to miss the decisive Africa Cup qualifier.
“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify,people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders,” said Kalaba.
Zambia set up camp in South Africa on Sunday ahead of the Uganda match and trained on Monday.
Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba has been ruled of this Saturday’s crucial 2013 Africa Cup qualifier against Uganda in Kampala because of injury.
TP Mazembe revealed that Kalaba sustained a groin injury in his Congolese side’s 0-0 Africa Champions League semi-final draw against Esperance on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe team doctor Taha Messaoud told BBC Sport:”He needs a minimum seven days to be back in training. His injury is not too bad but he needs a lot of care. It will be very difficult for him to play by weekend.”
Confirming his injury, Kalaba said he was disappointed to miss the decisive Africa Cup qualifier.
“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify,people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders,” said Kalaba.
Zambia set up camp in South Africa on Sunday ahead of the Uganda match and trained on Monday.
BBC reports that Fifa has stripped Sudan of its 2-0 win against Zambia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier because one of its scorers was ineligible to play.
The disciplinary committee of football’s world governing body ruled that Saif Ali should not have played in the 2 June game in Khartoum.
Zambia protested that Ali played despite receiving yellow cards in previous competitive matches, including when Zambia beat Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in February.
Fifa declared the match “lost by forfeit by Sudan,” awarding Zambia a 3-0 victory and with it the three points for a win.
The Sudan football association has also been fined US$6,430.
Zambia now leads Group D with six points from two matches, and Sudan falls to third place with one point.
Ghana are in second place with three points while Lesotho are bottom with a single point.
Meanwhile, Rainford Kalaba has been ruled of this Saturday’s crucial Africa Cup qualifier between Zambia and Uganda in Kampala because of injury.
TP Mazembe revealed that Kalaba sustained a groin injury in his Congolese side’s 0-0 Africa Champions League semi-final draw against Esperance on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe team doctor Taha Messaoud told BBC Sport:”He needs a minimum seven days to be back in training. His injury is not too bad but he needs a lot of care. It will be very difficult for him to play by weekend.”
Confirming his injury, Kalaba said he was disappointed to miss the decisive Africa Cup qualifier.
“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify,people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders,” said Kalaba.
Zambia set up camp in South Africa on Sunady ahead of the Uganda match and trained on Monday.
President Sata waves at PF party officials and Government officials at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before his departure for Tokyo, Japan
President Michael Sata has left for Japan for an official visit.
President Sata who is accompanied by First Lady Christine Kaseba and Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations George Chellah left aboard Ethiopian Airlines at 15:40hrs Monday afternoon.
He was seen off by vice president Guy Scott and Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda.
While in Japan, President Sata will have a series of meetings.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Margaret Bwanga Miyoba has told journalists that the President will also meet with the Prime Minister of Japan and the Emperor.
Ms Miyoba says President Sata will on 15th October proceed to South Korea where he will deliver a key note address at the third Korea-Africa Summit.
The Summit will enhance development cooperation between South Korea and Africa.
The President is expected to return to Zambia on the 19th of October, 2012.
