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Fighton Simukonda has made it two-out-of-two awards for the 2010 season after receiving the KCM Coach of the year accolade.
Simukonda added the KCM award to his collection this season after winning the 2010 Barclays Cup award that he was awarded in June.
This was Simukonda’s second KCM coach of the year award after winning it with Zesco in 2009.
And he was also not the only Zesco notable to be honored at football House today with goalkeeper Jacob Banda taking home the Best player of the year award, the first time a goalkeeper has won it under KCM sponsorship.
Zesco collected a K100 million cheque from KCM for winning the 2010 league title.
Meanwhile, the best young player of the year award went to Nchanga Rangers striker Lewis Macha while Dube Phiri of Red Arrows has won the top scorers award.
The Citizens Forum has charged that the move by the Supreme Court to throw out the appeal by former Communications Minister William Harrington against the Lusaka High Court judgment which cleared Education minister Dora Siliya of alleged breach of the Constitution over sale of Zamtel will not vindicate her.
Forum Executive Secretary Simon Kabanda has told Qfm in an exclusive interview that though the Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal on legal technicalities, Ms Siliya breached the laid down procedures in awarding a US$2million contract to R. P Capitals of Cayman Islands to value the assets of Zamtel.
Mr. Kabanda says it is unfortunate that the appeal has been dismissed when Ms Siliya clearly breached Article 53 (3) of the Constitution.
He has since called on leaders of government departments not to engage in illicit activities when dealing with matters of national interest.
On Friday, Supreme Court judge Marvin Mwanamwambwa dismissed Mr. Harrington’s five out of seven grounds of appeal.
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has urged government to release the report of the findings on the investigations initiated at the PF dominated Lusaka City Council on the alleged illegal land allocation
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi tells QFM news that holding on to the report on the findings on the investigations will verify assertions that the allegations are politically motivated.
Mr. Chipenzi notes that making public the report will enable the members of public have a clear understandings and avoid any suspicions.
Local government and housing minister Brian Chituwo has been quoted in the media giving a go ahead to the law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged corrupt activities at Lusaka City Council.
Meanwhile Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has welcomed Dr. Chituwo%u2019s decision to allow the law Enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged Lusaka City Council Land allocation scam.
TIZ executive director Goodwell Lungu tells QFM that the ministry of Local government should however extend their investigations to all the councils in the country that have been reported to be involved in illegal activities.
A few months ago, Dr. Chituwo suspended the Lusaka City Council to pave way for investigations into allegations that the PF councilors had illegally allocated themselves pieces of land.
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi tells QFM news that holding on to the report on the findings on the investigations will verify assertions that the allegations are politically motivated.
Mr. Chipenzi notes that making public the report will enable the members of public have a clear understandings and avoid any suspicions.
Local government and housing minister Brian Chituwo has been quoted in the media giving a go ahead to the law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged corrupt activities at Lusaka City Council.
Meanwhile Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has welcomed Dr. Chituwo’s decision to allow the law Enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged Lusaka City Council Land allocation scam.
TIZ executive director Goodwell Lungu tells QFM that the ministry of Local government should however extend their investigations to all the councils in the country that have been reported to be involved in illegal activities.
A few months ago, Dr. Chituwo suspended the Lusaka City Council to pave way for investigations into allegations that the PF councilors had illegally allocated themselves pieces of land.
FLASHBACK: Gabriel Namulambe (L) and State Chief of staff Austin Sichinga queue to greet President Banda at Lusaka City airport
Works and Supply minister Gabriel Namulambe and his Ministry of Labour counterpart Austin Liato have denied harboring intentions of defecting from the ruling MMD to the Patriotic Front.
Reacting to a story on QFM this morning in which highly placed MMD sources indicated that the two plan to defect to the opposition PF completing the number of senior MMD official intending to ditch the party, Mr Namulambe told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that there is nothing sweet than being chairperson for elections in the MMD and a cabinet minister for him to contemplate defecting to the opposition.
Mr Namulambe further said that if had any intentions of defecting from the MMD he would have defected at the time he was fired as Science and technology minister by president Rupiah Banda over his tribal remarks.
He adds that he is working under instruction from 15 chief on the Copperbelt who have resolved to rally behind President Rupiah Banda.
And Labour minister Austin Liato described assertion that he intends to defect from the ruling party as a ploy aimed at causing confusion in the MMD.
He says he is very strong in his Kaoma central constituency and would not think of defecting to opposition and risk losing his parliamentary seat.
THE Kitwe City Council (KCC) has with immediate effect withdrawn Kitwe mayor Elias Kamanga’s official vehicle because he has allegedly been using it for personal and political errands.
And MMD Copperbelt Task Force chairman Joe Malanji has reported Mr Kamanga to the police for alleged theft for refuelling Patrick Mwanawasa’s vehicle with 73.4 litres of petrol worth K635,000 on a council account.
Kitwe town clerk David Kabanda confirmed in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that KCC management has withdrawn Mr Kamanga’s official mayoral vehicle.
According to a letter dated July 11, 2011, addressed to Mr Kamanga, Mr Kabanda said the mayoral vehicle is only supposed to be used on restricted official functions.
Mr Kabanda said concerned residents are disappointed with the manner Mr Kamanga is abusing his official vehicle.
“On the 29th June, 2011, you used the mayoral vehicle for purpose of attending a political function at Edinburgh Hotel organised by Dr Mbita Chitala and Mike Mulongoti. On the same date, you used the mayoral vehicle on a political errand at Radio Ichengelo,” Mr Kabanda said in his letter to Mr Kamanga.
He said Mr Kamanga went to Kitwe Little Theatre last Friday around 21:00 hours using the mayoral vehicle when there was no official council assignment there.
“That the vehicle was seen at a rally in Mpongwe district, addressed by the Patriotic Front (PF) secretary-general Wynter Kabimba on Saturday 9 July, 2011. Other than these allegations, I have received an adverse report which has also been verified from our records as attached receipt number 42046 that you personally went to Trade Rica Filling Station and issued 73.4 litres of fuel to a private vehicle allegedly belonging to Patrick Mwanawasa,” the letter reads.
Mr Kabanda said Mr Kamanga allegedly signed the receipt after his driver and the council police officer assigned to him refused to do so.
“To this end, and given the seriousness of the allegations levelled against your office, it has been decided that in order to protect the integrity of the office of mayor, the mayoral vehicle be withdrawn with immediate effect.
“However, in exceptional cases only, the vehicle may be availed to you when there is an official civic function that may require your attendance,” the letter reads in part
And Mr Malanji said at a press briefing in Kitwe yesterday he has reported the matter to the police and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged theft and illegal land transactions.
“The mayoral vehicle is used like a utility vehicle. He uses it on personal and political errands. It is unfortunate that Mr Kamanga gave council fuel to Patrick Mwanawasa, a person who does not work for the council. He was also distributing PF T-shirts in Mulenga township using the mayoral vehicle,” he said.
He said the MMD on the Copperbelt is disappointed that some councillors in Kitwe are allegedly illegally allocating plots to people.
Mr Malanji warned the councillors against frustrating Government programmes meant to develop the communities.
“I reported him to Riverside police station for theft. Mr Kamanga is also involved in illegal land allocation without following procedure, and he intimidates workers at the council and calls them chaps,” Mr Malanji said.
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has advised Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to tame his loose tongue because his vulgar language is unacceptable.
UPND Copperbelt spokesperson Kennedy Kalunga said in a statement issued in Kitwe yesterday that Mr Sata’s language that the PF is the only political party that is attracting ‘buffaloes’ and ‘elephants’ unlike others which are attracting rabbits in apparent reference to councillors is unacceptable.
” UPND is therefore wondering as to when human beings have become animals. Mr Sata should therefore have respect in the manner he treats Zambians with his foul mouth which seems to be so loose…he should know that he does not own anybody in this country nor does he make anyone happy with his nonsense,” Mr Kalunga said
He also said the UPND takes strong exception to Mr Sata’s insinuations on radio Phoenix on July 9, 2011 that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema entered into a pact with the PF because he had hopes of becoming president with the assumption that Mr Sata would die.
“This is completely rubbish and nonsense, because the opposite is true, it is Mr Sata who wanted to use HH and the votes from Southern Province to get to State House. UPND is therefore appealing to all Zambians not to be tricked into voting for Mr Sata because his bad record and vulgar language is there for all to see,” Mr Kalunga said.
He said voting for Mr Sata whom he described as a ‘flip flop’ and mediocre politician will be like sentencing Zambians to death.
“We would like to assure Mr Sata and his party that come the announcement of election results, he will be shocked because PF will come last in this year’s elections and that will mark the end of hispolitical career. That is when his blood pressure will shoot up, hence he should be ready to buy high blood pressure tablets in advance,” Mr Kalunga said
LAZ President Mwenya Musa (r) and Stephen Lungu (l)
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has come out in defence of its president Musa Mwenya following sustained personal media attacks on him over his recent statement he issued on behalf of LAZ on the barring of public media journalists from the PF general conference.
In a statement released to QFM yesterday, LAZ Honorary Secretary Paulman Chungu says Mr Mwenye as LAZ president is the spokesperson of the Association and that as such he expresses the views of LAZ.
He says all statements issued by the LAZ president are not issued in his personal capacity but represent a well reasoned and researched position of the Association.
Mr Chungu says attack therefore on the LAZ president, or any officer speaking in an official capacity are unjustified.
He explains that LAZ has internal consultative processes that are well articulated and time tested and that these processes were engaged in the case of the ZNBC issue as on all matters on which LAZ adds its voice.
Mr Chungu has reiterated that LAZ will continue to speak very clearly on matters of the law and will not shy away from giving clear and unequivocal opinions on the law and the rule of law without fear of any reprisals or favour and regardless of any unwarranted personal attacks on its spokesperson and elected representatives of the Association.
Labour minister Austin Liato,allegedly planning to defect
MMD chairman for elections Gabriel Namulambe and Labour and social security minister Austin Liato are some of the high profile officials thought to be planning to defect to the opposition Patriotic Front.
Sources within the MMD have told QFM that looming defections from the ruling party to the opposition are said to be creating uncertainty among the senior members of the party.
Sources say Mr. Namulambe and Mr. Liato are some of the high ranking government and party officials planning to defect to the opposition Patriotic Front.
QFM radio has been exclusively informed that some high ranking senior members of the ruling MMD are blaming president Rupiah Banda for the diminishing support of the MMD.
Some members are thought to be blaming the propaganda strategy through programmes such as stand up for Zambia by Chanda Chimba the third as one of the reasons the MMD is said to losing its grip on the Zambian political scene.
Efforts to get comments from the two ministers failed by broadcast time.
Former MMD national Secretary Katele Kalumba was told quoted by radio Phoenix yesterday as saying that two ministers plan to ditch the ruling party completing defections of senior party officials to the opposition PF.
And the MMD says it is aware that some disgruntled senior members who have not performed well in their constituencies are planning to defect to the opposition.
MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe said those who intend to defect to opposition parties are well known by the party because they have been under surveillance.
He said in an interview those defecting are desperate and would like to continue in politics in another party because they know they will not be adopted because their popularity has dwindled.
“No-one is leaving, but we have an idea of those that have been courting the opposition. We know them and their defection is inconsequential to the party as the number is minimal,” Major Kachingwe said.
He said the MMD is the only party which means well and wants to ensure development in the country, and no member can leave it now considering its strength unless that person is not in good standing with the party.
Major Kachingwe said the country needs to build a strong and credible political system, and that this can only happen once politicians become principled.
“We need to create a credible political system, and jumping from one party to another will not help because people will lose trust in us as politicians,” he said.
Major Kachingwe said it is important for politicians to be sincere in their dealings because that is the way in which they can win the people’s trust.
He said the country will get to know who should be trusted in the party once the adoption process has been completed.
Major Kachingwe said the MMD wants to adopt credible leaders who can deliver to the people, and that those who have failed to do that will not be adopted.
“We know that adopting them is risky, so you will get to know who these people are once the adoption process is completed,” he said.
The Chililabombwe club, who enjoying a rare good spell currently lead the Super Division table on 26 points, have accused their struggling neighbors from down the road in Chingola of flirting with assistant coach Manfred Chabinga and some key players.
Chabinga is number 2 to Keagan Mumba with whom he was appointed to the Blades bench with at the start of this season.
“Nchanga are trying to steal the success that we are enjoying,” Blades chairman Richard Musukwa said.
Musukwa went on further to say that Nchanga are also trying to lure at least six Blades players to bolster the Chingola side that is struggling in 10th place and have been in free-fall since their Caf Confederation Cup first round exit in March.
However, Nchanga chairman Richard Kazala has described the accusations by Blades as nonsense.
Meanwhile, a source at Nchanga has revealed that no official contact was ever made to talk to Chabinga but that the club is targeting striker Ephraim Banda during this July local transfer window.
Banda is a former Nchanga player and is currently enjoying good form at Blades where he is top scorer with 5 goals to his credit.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
Only conclusion of the tendering procedures is delaying the tarring of the 1-hundred billion kwacha pedicle road.
The 70 kilometer stretch from Mokambo on the Zambian side from Mufulira passes through the DR Congo to levy Mwanawasa Bridge in Chembe on the Zambian side in Luapula province.
Government is ready with funding and will soon release the money to kick start the project.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says work will start this immediately after procedures are have been concluded.
Dr Musokotwane also says the DRC government is very cooperative and supportive on the project.
He says last year he traveled to the DRC with former Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti to discuss with that government on how best the road network should be undertaken.
The Minister says the results of the negotiations with the DRC were very positive.
The Pedicle road is part of the road network which is earmarked to connect Copperbelt Province with Nakonde through Luapula Province.
Dr. Musokotwane was speaking when he met Chief Kashiba of the Lunda people of Mwense district.
He is accompanied by his two counterparts Maxwell Mwale for Mines and Catherine Namugala from Tourism.
The tarring of the Pedicle road will now be another milestone project following the completion of the K46-billlion kwacha Levy Mwanawasa Bridge across the Luapula River at Chembe in 2008.
Press Association of Zambia vice president Amos Chanda (left).
The Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) has advised members of the public not to force President Rupiah Banda to announce the date of elections outside the provisions of the constitution.
PAZA vice president Amos Chanda said President Banda cannot be forced to announce the election date because he knows that he was working within the provisions of the constitution.
Speaking last night on a Muvi television programme dubbed “The Assignment” and monitored by ZANIS in Lusaka, Mr. Chanda stated categorically that President Banda is operating according to the provisions of the Zambian constitution.
He implored those calling on the Head of State to announce the date of elections to hold their fire as it was within his powers to do so.
He added that trying to force the Head of State to announce the date would not be backed by any legal framework.
There are growing calls by different stakeholders for president Rupiah Banda to announce the dissolution of parliament, and subsequently announce the date of elections.
Recently, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema called on president Banda to immediately dissolve parliament and announce the date for elections in order to create a level playing field for campaigns.
Mr Hichilema pointed to the fact some government ministers who are members of parliament are still using government resources to campaign because parliament has not yet been dissolved.
And Mr. Chanda called on both private and public media organisations to be impartial when reporting on issues concerning this year’s elections to avoid misleading the public.
Mr. Chanda also noted that the media in the country had a sole obligation of informing, educating and entertaining the public in a fair and truthful manner to enable them make informed decisions.
He further cautioned media houses taking sides with certain political parties to desist from doing so if democracy was to flourish in the country.
He said journalists across the country should strictly observe media ethics to benefit all the citizens in Zambia.
‘We know that some media bodies have a tendency of taking sides with some political parties during elections. This is unethical and all those media houses that are in this habit should stop with immediate
effect,” he warned.
He said Zambians have been living in peace for a long time now hence the media should not be seen to perpetuate violence in the country.
Mr. Chanda also appealed to all political parties participating in this year’s elections to have confidence in the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as it was the only body mandated to conduct and monitor elections in the country.
He wondered why some political parties have a tendency of criticising the Commission whenever the country held elections.
He said the ECZ was working hard to administer elections in the country hence it needed the support of all stakeholders.
Vice President George Kunda has assured people of Lundazi district in Eastern Province that the Food Reserve Agency(FRA) will buy off all their maize in this year’s marketing season.
However, Mr. Kunda was quick to warn farmers against selling their
farm produce to unscrupulous buyers because they would lose out if
they did so.
ZANIS reports that he said Government was determined to purchase all
surplus maize from farmers at the recommended floor price of K65,000
per 50 kilogramme bag of maize in order to increase their economic
status.
Mr. Kunda was speaking yesterday when he addressed a public rally at
Kaunda Square in Lundazi district.
He said Government had always endeavoured to make the life of farmers
better by providing them with a readily available market.
He explained that the process of recovering money once farmers sold
their maize to briefcase buyers was long hence the need to avoid
them.
And the Vice President noted that the K3,700 per kilogramme of cotton
this year was a favourable price for cotton growers in the country.
Mr. Kunda said cotton was one of the major cash crops grown in Lundazi
district which could improve people’s lives.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kunda disclosed that fertiliser for this year’s farming
season had already arrived in Lundazi district.
He thanked the people of Eastern Province for contributing to bumper
harvest in the 2010/2011 farming season.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says Zambia needs to work hard to ensure that the country’s population growth tallies with the growth of the economy.
UNFPA country representative Duah Owusu- Sarfo says the economy is expected to triple more than the growth of the population as this is key in fighting poverty but that this has not been the case for Zambia which has its annual economic growth standing at about 6 percent per year.
Mr. Owusu- Sarfo noted that the Zambia’s population growth stands at 2.8 percent per annum and that the economic growth should therefore be in the range of about 9 percent per annum.
He added that the country has continued to register a boom in population growth because of improved health care in the country.
Mr. owusu-sarfo was speaking during a press briefing to mark the world population day under the theme the world at seven billion: Zambia at 13 million.
At the same occasion chief planner in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Mainga Luwabelwa said the government is aware of the fact that the population growth the country has continued to record requires commitment of more resources to sectors such as health and education.
And central Statistical office census manager Richard Banda observed that the country population is most likely to grow from the current 13 million to 26 million in the next 25 years if it maintains the growth of about 2.8 percent per year.
[ QFM ]
MMD Chairman for Elections Gabriel Namulambe says President Rupiah Banda will not be pushed to announce the election date by some desperate members of the opposition.
Mr. Namulambe says the announcement of the election date is the President’s constitutional prerogative.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on Sunday.
And Mr. Namulambe says it is ill conceived for anyone to assume that cabinet is operating illegally because parliament only adjourned sine die and has not been dissolved.
He also says the process of short listing parliamentary candidates to stand in this year’s elections on the MMD ticket is on course.
In the summer of 1979, a group of teenagers were making a movie, when they witnessing a mysterious train crash. They begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate the creepy phenomenon. It was directed by J.J Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg.
PRO’S
Great acting, especially by the main character Joe lamb (Joel Courtney). Each character was unique and brought something to the movie.
The relationship between Joe and his father, Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), was portrayed excellently, as well as the love story between Joe and Alice (Elle Fanning).
The scene with the train crash was amazing.
CON’S
The movie has a slow start and takes a while to know what the story is about.
The ending of the movie was too predictable.
You don’t really get a good look at the alien ,which is kind of a letdown.
CONCLUSION
Despite a slow start, as the movie gets going you will be gripped by the mysterious story of what is happening in the small town and why the air force is there.
After watching it ,i was left wondering why is was called Super 8. Apparently its the name of the film(super 8mm film) the teenagers were using to make their movie…….. They should have given this movie a more suitable name.
It is not as memorable as other Spielberg productions like E.T, but It was still an entertaining movie although the ending was quite    anti-climactic.
FAVORITE QUOTES
Martin:Â Am I the only one here who doesn’t know what we’re talking about?
Cary:Â Probably, Smartin.
Martin:Â I don’t like it when you call me that!
Cary:Â I’m sorry, Smartin. Let’s go cry about it.
Dr. Woodward:Â Do not speak of this. You don’t know what is happening here. If they find you, you and your parents will be killed.
