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CHAMA District in Eastern Province has recorded cases of suspected anthrax in more that 120 people.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Kamoto Mbewe said in a statement yesterday that the outbreak was suspected to have been caused by an infected hippo in Luangwa River.
Dr Mbewe said all the patients recorded since Friday last week, had a history of having consumed or touched hippo meat.
He said the hippo was said to have died of anthrax around the upstream of the Luangwa River, where 62 hippos had so far died after showing signs of infection.
“Areas bordering Chama or anyone who has consumed hippo meat in the recent past may be affected,” he said.
Dr Mbewe said however that the public should not panic because the disease was treatable and that the Ministry had sufficient stocks of drugs.
He said samples had been sent to a laboratory in Lundazi and that a rapid response from the provincial office was already in Chama.
“A stakeholders meeting involving the Ministry of health, Ministry of Live stock and fisheries, a veterinary team from the University of Zambia and University Teaching Hospital laboratory team was held today,” he said.
He said an expert team had been constituted and dispatched to support the province and the affected districts.
Dr Mbewe said people who had come in contact or had eaten hippo meat in recent weeks and developed skin swellings like insect bites which later become blister or which eventually ulcerated, should quickly seek medical attention.
He said the affected areas had been cordoned off and sensitisation provided to people against eating game meat, while surveillance had been enhanced.
THE Catholic Church has granted Father Frank Bwalya indefinite leave of absence from Priesthood to allow him to concentrate on his personal life. The diocese of Ndola has also ordered Fr Bwalya not to act or represent the Catholic Church in any way during his indefinite leave.
This is according to a memoradum dated August 29, 2011 issued by Ndola diocese Archbishop Alick Banda, addressed to Fr Bwalya and the church. Bishop Banda has also asked Fr Bwalya not to perform any priestly duties, wear priestly attire and to be away from the presbytery during his leave.
“I also ask you not to act in any way for the Catholic diocese of Ndola or the Catholic Church in general during your leave,” Bishop Banda said in a memo.
Fr Bwalya is believed to have requested the Ndola diocese for leave so that he could concentrate on his political activities. Bishop Banda said the church has consented to Fr Bwalya’s request and granted him indefinite leave of absence.
Bishop Banda advised Fr Bwalya to remain obliged and maintain his celibacy until a new way of life is determined by the competent ecclesiastical authority.
And the MMD on the Copperbelt have welcomed the indefinite leave of Fr Bwalya.
Provincial information and publicity secretary Yotam Mtayachalo said the leave is long overdue. “We welcome the indefinite leave of Fr Bwalya, who has so much hatred against President Banda and the MMD. We also urge him to reflect on his political activities during the leave so that he can repent,” Mr Mtayachalo said.
He said the activities Fr Bwalya has involved himself in are not in line with his status as a Priest. “How can a priest strangle a chicken at a public meeting? Such behaviour is unacceptable,” Mr Mtayahalo said.
A non-governmental organisation based in Ndola has also welcomed the indefinite leave of Fr Bwalya. Right Choice Support chairman Andrew Tembo said Fr Bwalya should now join politics because he will no longer pretend to be speaking for the Catholic Church.
“We want to commend the Catholic Church for the bold decision they have taken against Fr Bwalya who has clearly demonstrated that he has joined politics,” Mr Tembo said.
Meanwhile, a Ndola-based clergyman said it is wrong for any church leader to publicly declare their political alignment to any political party.
Pastor Lawrence Temfwe said Fr Bwalya’s suspension will serve as an example to other church leaders who are actively involved in partisan politics.
He advised other church leaders to speak about developmental issues without favouring any party. “Let other church leaders know that it is not good for a man of God to be involved in active politics,” Pastor Temfwe said.
The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has refuted reports that it is intimidating rural voters in Kawambwa district of Luapula province ahead of the elections.
On thursday, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) confirmed receiving reports of MMD officials threatening electorates in the area that they establish who they will vote for on 20th September by checking in the computer system.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu tells QFM in an interview that such allegations are only aimed at bringing the party down.
Mr. Nyangu, who however expressed ignorance on the matter, accused the opposition parties of using all sorts of means to de-campaign the ruling party.
He notes that there is no way candidates can know who votes for them and who did not because elections are not conducted electronically.
He says it is surprising how the opposition is panicking ahead of the polls.
Mr. Nyangu says his party will remain focused with its issue based campaigns because it wants to return to power after the 20th September, 2011 polls.
The Zambia Police service has clarified that the Zimbabwean Police officers spotted in the country did not come to Zambia to help police the elections.
Police Spokesperson Ndandula Siamana claims she was misquoted in an article in which she admitted that the Zimbabwe Police were in the country.
Ms. Siamana has however said that the Zimbabwe Police officers spotted in the country were merely in transit to the Democratic republic of Congo for the SADC Police games.
She says Zambians must not be misled that government will allow police officers from another country to help in policing the elections.
Ms Siamana adds that it is impossible for the country to have Zimbabwe Police come and police the elections.
President Rupiah Band will today be in Chongwe District for campaign rallys and the commissioning of the Chongwe Water Treatment Plant.
President Banda has made provision of safe drinking water one of his key priorities since assuming office in 2008.
Today’s event is testimony of the MMD Government’s commitment to the promises it has made to the Zambian people.
The President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere confirmed this in a statement yesterday.
Mr. Jere said the Government has provided the District with financial resources for the improvement of rural sanitation, including areas around Luangwa Bridge which also require good sanitation.
‘Provision of such life-supporting services is in line with President Banda’s seven-point development plan which he intends to implement from 2011 to 2016. Point number-seven is on how the MMD Goverment will ensure the creation of a better health service for all Zambians,’ he said.
While in Chongwe, the president Banda will also address his first public rally in Lusaka Province since the announcement of the date for the tripartite elections which will be held on September 20, 2011.
“Once again, the Head of State will explain to the Chongwe electorate the reasons why he should be re-elected, having already delivered unprecedented infrastructure development and improved the Zambian economy,” said Mr. Jere.
In 1964 what was Northern Rhodesia became Zambia and undeniably vouched for her sovereignty before the Queen as well as the world. Zambia from 1964 to 1991 was an experiment. it was impossible for the founding fathers to develop a country and a political program that was not reacting to the colonials. President Kaunda served our country in his capacity as president given the constraints of his times, given the concerns of his generation, and given the priorities of the world at that time.
In 1991 Frederick Chiluba and MMD ushered in a new development for the young nation. Zambia learned politics; her politics!! At this point we were able to discuss politics within the constraints of our country, as opposed to the politics of the 60s which were a reaction to the colonial masters. President Chiluba’s legacy in my view is that he allowed for Zambia to have her politics in the form of the creation of a multi-party democracy; this gave us the power to discuss politics from contesting perspectives.
[pullquote]The world is changing and we are not fighting for independence from Britain neither are we trying to convince Dr. Kaunda on the virtues of a multi-party democracy. Our generation should make an effort to have a different political dialogue and a different political attitude.[/pullquote]
President Mwanawasa comes at a time when Zambia is gainfully becoming a player on the continent of Africa as well as gaining some global presence. Globalization of course served its purpose during President Chiluba and during President Mwanawasa we made far much greater steps towards a transparent and more progressive future. The presidency of Mr. Rupiah can rightly be merged with that of Mwanawasa because Mr. Rupiah continued the politics of MMD and much of the late presidents domestic policies.
Zambia has only had two presidents who have been crucial to her growth: President Kenneth Kaunda ( UNIP) and President Frederick T. Chiluba ( MMD)
Iam writing this rather short history of politics in Zambia to illustrate that we are too young of a nation to be conservatives!! As elections approaches, I ask that Zambians experiment; we need to change our current political thought for ideas that will serve the progressive development of our country in view of geopolitics.
The world is changing and we are not fighting for independence from Britain neither are we trying to convince Dr. Kaunda on the virtues of a multi-party democracy. Our generation should make an effort to have a different political dialogue and a different political attitude.
As we all put our votes in for the next president I ask that Zambians experiment; we are too young of a nation to play it safe: our institutions are young, our constitution even younger, and our politics still developing!! We need to challenge ourselves in an effort to present a future far much more idealistic, and far much more in line with the virtues of a democratic society. A society, as a general rule, is developing when you look at the treatment of women in that society, the treatment of the poor, the education level of its citizens, and the advancement of its public system.
[pullquote]As we all put our votes in for the next president I ask that Zambians experiment; we are too young of a nation to play it safe: our institutions are young, our constitution even younger, and our politics still developing!![/pullquote]
I’am committed to a better Zambia and Iam not scared to gamble on her future nor do I think conservatism is the answer for our nation. Aggressive political visions are needed and a commitment to change should be a constant breath that is breathed in every Zambian.
The future, in short, belongs to those who dare think of it and who challenge the present and straighten it to satisfy their goals of a better future. Zambia is very young, too young, not to take advantage of the idealism, and stamina, and energy that comes with youth; we are not even half a century old!!!!
Dario Bonetti has dropped three home-based players from his 20-man team that flew out for Comoros today.
The three players include Zesco United Jacob Banda.
Others are Red Arrows wingback Jimmy Chisenga and Power Dynamos midfielder Kennedy Mudenda.
Nyambe Mulenga of Zesco and Thomas Nyirenda from Konkola Blades are the only home-based players in the traveling part for Sunday 2012 Africa Cup Group C qualifier.
Meanwhile, President Rupiah Banda made a brief stopover at the teams camp at Golfview Hotel in Lusaka before departure.
And in other news, the Zambia under 17 national team will on Saturday face their South African counterparts in a junior friendly international in Lusaka at Nkoloma Stadium.
It will be the first time the two teams will be clashing at Under-17 level in a friendly match since 2005 when South Africa beat Zambia 2-1 at Arthur Davies Stadium.
President Rupiah Banda has hailed farmers throughout the country for their tireless efforts they have exhibited in the agriculture sector.
And President Banda has officially launched the 2011/202 farming season calling for farmers in the country to continue their preparations for another bumper in the 2011/2012 season.
And the Zambia Farmers Union ( ZNFU ) President Jarves Zimba says President Banda should be commended for his strides in improving the agriculture sector in the country.
Mr. Banda said farmers across the country should be commended for ensuring that the country has produced two successive bumper harvests.
“ In the past three years, farmers in this country have managed to produce surplus in our stable crop maize and other major agriculture products much to the delight of farmers in the country, “ he said.
ZANIS reports the President saying this when he officially opened the 106th Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) Annual Congress at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka today under the theme : ” Diversification and Market Development. “
Mr Banda said the country now enjoys food stability adding that it is now time for the country and farmers to start diversifying away from maize to grow other viable crops such as rice, beef, Sugar, beans and many other profitable crops for the benefit of the country.
President Banda has also hinted that the successive bumper harvest in the country has been possible due to the peace the country has continued to enjoy for some time now.
“ Without peace in the country, it would have been impossible for the country to produce enough food because the absence of peace, no progressive economic benefits can be achieved in the nation, “Mr Banda said.
Zambia has managed to increase the agriculture productivity from 1.5 million Metric Tonnes of maize per hectare to 2.2 Metric Tonnes per hectare.
Government has managed to increase the input support programme from 120, 000 to 900,00 Small Scale Farmers adding that Government has made sure that these farmer inputs are delivered to farmers across the country on time.
“ During the past farming season, Government managed to buy over 1.3 Million Metric tonnes of maize valued at K 1.69 Trillion,” the President said.
And speaking at the function, ZNFU President Zimba, who has been re-elected to his position said President Banda should be commended for his strides in improving the agriculture sector in the country.
Mr Zimba said this year’s theme is in line with government’s plans of diversifying the economy of this country for sustainable economic development in the country.
“ Depending on maize alone may not be sustainable in future in the sense that weather in the country and world over can change at any time thereby affecting the crop causing hunger in the country, “ he said.
Mr Zimba said Mr Banda’s Government should be commended and supported by all farmers across the country if the bumper harvest is to continue to be produced in the country.
He said Government alone cannot manage and needs to work hand in hand with farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector across the country.
Meanwhile, World Bank Country Director for Zambia and Zimbabwe Kie Kie said Zambia has managed to produce enough for the country because the country has been living in peace for some years now.
Ms Kie thanked the Government of the republic of Zambia for their dedicated efforts in producing enough food for its people and urged the country to continue working hard for the benefit of the farmers in the country
She said foreign direct investment and played a major role in the reduction of inflation in this country, a thing which he said has helped to improve the economy of this country.
Lusaka province MMD information and publicity secretary Greenock Lupambo and Kanyama constituency chairman Walter Manzi (left) inspect the Kanyama constituency office, which was petrol bombed by suspected Patrotic Front cadres
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Lusaka province MMD information and publicity secretary Greenock Lupambo and Kanyama constituency chairman Walter Manzi (left) inspect the Kanyama constituency office, which was petrol bombed by suspected Patrotic Front cadres in Lusaka
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PF foot soldiers for the Door to Door Campaigns
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PF foot soldiers for the Door to Door Campaigns in Lusaka
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MMD cadres putting up Posters in Lusaka
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MMD cadres putting up Posters
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CHINA Civil Engineering Company technicians assessing the strength of layers on Chiwala road in Nkana East Residential area to ascertain if specific standards have been met before laying the tarring the road
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CHINA Civil Engineering Company technicians assessing the strength of layers on Chiwala road in Nkana East Residential area to ascertain if specific standards have been met before laying the tarring
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Rupiah Banda shakes hands with Mwansabombwe MMD candidate Chriticles and his counterpart for Kawambwa central Elizabeth Chitika Mwansa on arrival at Kazembe grounds
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President Banda shakes hands with Mwata Kazembe in Mwansabombwe
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National Restoration Party representative John Phiri talks to ECZ Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima, Electoral Commission of Zambia Director Priscila Isaacs and Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia Sheikh Shaban Phiri after the meeting
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ECZ Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima and Electoral Commission of Zambia Director Priscila Isaacs sharing a light moment with political representatives and other stakeholders, at UNIPRINT in Durban
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ECZ Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima (l), Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Director Priscila Isaacs (c) listen to MMD Representative Mikatazo Wakumelo during a briefing at (UNIPRINT) in Durban
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ECZ Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima (c) addressing political party representatives and other stakeholders, at UNIPRINT in Durban
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PART of the crowd that attended one of the rallies addressed by MMD Namwala central aspiring candidate Major Robbie Chizhyuka in Namwala
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MMD Namwala central aspiring candidate Major Robbie Chizhyuka addresses residents during one of the rallies in Namwala district
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Vice president George Kunda greets MMD cadres before addressing a rally at kaseba in Muchinga constituency where he is constesting the parliamentary seat
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Vice president George Kunda addressing a rally ta Kaseba basic school in Serenje's Muchinga constituency where he is a parlaimetary candidate on MMD ticket for the 20th September general elections
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Collins Mbesuma in Training for the Comoros Game
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Collins Mbesuma in Training at Nkoloma Stadium
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Zambia National team in Training at Nkoloma Stadium
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Zambia National team Coach giving Instructions to Players
Saviour Chishimba has revealed that he has video evidence showing why some sections of the media are for leaders with alleged pro-homosexuality policies.
Dr. Chishimba, who recently announced his alignment with the Movement for Multi party Democracy MMD, says the truth on the said homosexuality video will be concluded in the most fantastic fashion.
He states that he has asked lawyers to work out the modalities of how the video evidence will be shown warning that the video will be strictly for adults above 18 years.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning, the former Patriotic Front Kasama central Member of Parliament said that late second republican president Dr. Fredrick Chiluba was in the custody of damaging evidence about the criminal activities of some political parties who said have been celebrating his death.
After the press briefing, Dr. Chishimba refused to take any questions about the purported video promising that he will reveal further details at an opportune time.
And Dr. Chishimba has charged that no one will remove president Rupiah Banda as president apart from God.
He says Zambians should not question the wisdom of God who has ordained president Banda to lead the country.
Former Minister of Finance & National Planning N'gandu Magande
National Movement for Progress (NMP) president Ng’andu Magande says he has never witnessed an election were money has exchanged hands as in this year’s elections.
Speaking when he featured on QFM’s the Public’s Last Say last evening, Mr Magande says the expenditure that government is making on the two officials allowed to use government facilities during campaigns, the President and the vice president is way to much of what one would expect.
Mr Magande adds that some of his candidates who were suppose to contest as parliamentary candidates were bribed not stand.
He says this will spoil the show as a situation where wrong people will be Members of parliament and councilors will be created as a result.
Mr Magande says his party however, managed to field twenty parliamentary candidates.
And Mr Magande says the ongoing road rehabilitation programme embarked upon by the MMD government outside the national budget is illegal according to the provisions of the public finance Act of 2006.
He says the road rehabilitation programme is merely a gimmick to hoodwink Zambians that everything is going on well.
Mr Magande adds that by the end of this year Zambians will come to know the truth when the Auditor General releases his report.
No worries-a couple relaxing at the Mindolo dam in Kitwe
By Gerald Nkisu Katayi
Communication Methods used by lovers have dramatically changed in the last few years. Nowadays lovebirds use the internet, cell phones and other devices. Their romantic dinners are crazily followed by drinking and clubbing.
In those days, you had to pull the middle pages of your “excise book,” sketch some flowers, painting them with crayons, adding inscriptions, “love potion.” All this is happening during class time, probably in grade five. Wearing khaki shorts; seating on hard desk and the feet resting on bare floor. Armed with a pencil and a rubber, pulling back mucus from time to time and then you start a letter to your lover.
Dearest darling, (then you add, “mistakes are yours to control.”)
How are you at this time in moment, back to me I’m fine.
I love you like a cup of tea
I don’t sleep but I dream about you
I can cross the ocean for you
You are my toffee sweets
You are my sweat banana
I miss you like water in the desert.
The letter is concluded by; write to me back and reply. After writing many letters, you had to “breaking the news” to your parents that your exercise book is “finished.” All your reply letters were kept under the “pillow” whatever it was made of.
Them good old days. Wish the clock would turn back.
A woman cycling along the township roads in Chipata
GOVERNMENT yesterday gave out offer letters to 24 sitting tenants of houses at Chipata-Mchinji Railway Station Township in Chipata.
The three categories of pool houses that ranged from K600, 000 to K1.750, 000 were offered to sitting tenants as part of the Government’s housing empowerment scheme. The tenants are expected to pay K133, 533 to the ministry of lands as acceptance offer within 90 days.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony held at the rail station, Provincial Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale said the government was committed to empowering its people with better shelter.
Mrs Mwale, who was accompanied by her Assistant Secretary Peter Ngoma, said about 150 more houses would be offered for purchase to other sitting tenants in the district.
“Close to 150 more houses, the location I cannot mention now but win Chipata are yet to be given to the other sitting tenants, Ms Mwale said.
The Permanent secretary emphasized that the giving out of houses to sitting tenants was not a political gimmick but was a deliberate government policy of empowering its people with accommodation. She appealed to the owners of the houses not to vandalise or resell the house but to guard them jealous.
In passing a vote of thanks, Railway Township chairperson Emmanuel Nyirenda hailed President Rupiah Banda for the good gesture.
Mr Nyirenda said the tenants who were now legal owners of the houses were thankful to the Government for responding quickly to their pleas.
“We the tenants who are now landlords are very thankful to the Government particularly to President Rupiah Banda for listening to our cries and truly it is a dream-come-true,” Mr Nyirenda said. Another beneficially, Peter Biemba said he was excited that the Government had finally given them the houses.
The houses were built in the early 1980s to provide accommodation to people who were working on the construction of the Chipata-Mchinji railway line.
The project was abandoned in 1992 and was only revitalized in 2006 and finally launched by President Rupiah Banda with his Malawian counterpart Mbingu Wa Mutharika last year.
[Times of Zambia]
File: A PF cadres confronting the police with stones out side the DEC offices 2010.
THE police in Lusaka have arrested two Patriotic Front (PF) cadres and recovered two machetes after the political violence that erupted in Matero Township on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana said yesterday the cadres were charged for being in possession with offensive weapons. The PF cadres were identified as Blackson Mwanza and Moses Piyo of Lilanda Township in Lusaka.
The police have also arrested one MMD cadre in connection with the same violence. Ms Siamana said the MMD cadre identified as Richard Zimba was charged with assault. She warned that any person found inciting violence or taking part in any form of violence would be punished despite their political affiliation. Ms Siamana appealed to all peace-loving Zambians to report any case of violence to the nearest police station. She also said the police would take stern action against anyone found destroying campaign materials.
“The police service wishes to state categorically that stern action will be taken against anyone found defacing and vandalising campaign materials and will see to it that all those found inciting violence and taking part in any form of violence are brought to book despite their political affiliation,” she said.
BALLOT papers for the September 20 tripartite elections will arrive in the country on September 13, Electoral Commission of Zambia(ECZ) chairperson Ireen Mambilima has said.
Justice Mambilima said the consignment would be loaded on a cargo flight on Monday, September 12 in readiness for a direct flight to Lusaka the following day.
Speaking during the briefing for political party representatives, observers and Journalists at the Uniprint Boardroom, Justice Mambilima said Universal Print Group (UPG) had confirmed the flight schedule for the consignment of ballot papers.
“The contractor has confirmed that the consignment will be loaded on the cargo plane a day before so that all security formalities can be done before finally airlifting the ballot papers to Lusaka. This slight delay has been caused by the change from their usual Johannesburg route to flying directly to Lusaka but for us really it will still be on schedule,” she said.
Justice Mambilima who has been in Durban since Sunday for an on the spot check of the printing of the ballot papers, however, said the time for the flight would only be made known by the printer.
She said ECZ would immediately communicate with all political parties to receive the consignment at Lusaka International Airport. She was confident that the electoral body would be on schedule.
“We are very sure we will be on schedule and the ballot papers will reach all the areas on time because this work is on-going and immediately we receive the ballot papers in Lusaka, it will be non-stop,” she said.
She also urged the observers and all stakeholders involved here to ensure they worked overnight for the remaining few days to ensure the printing of the remaining ballot papers for local government candidates were completed on time.
“It is a huge task but we have to do it. I have spoken to the people here to allow you people work even overnight so that hopefully even in the next two to three days, work can finish so that we continue with proofreading and just other corrections,” she said.
Justice Mambilima also commended the stakeholders here for being part of the electoral process on behalf of the 13 million Zambians.
Printing of ballot papers for presidential and parliamentary candidates have since been completed. On Wednesday, Justice Mambilima ballot papers for local government candidates for Luapula and Central Provinces had been completed.
While in Durban Justice Mambilima inspected the printing of ballots for local government candidates and witnessed the proofreading being done by the representatives of the various political parties taking part in this year’s elections.
[Times of Zambia]
