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Drug Enforcement Commission spokesperson John Nyawali
TWO Zambian women have been arrested in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for drug trafficking.
Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) spokesperson, John Nyawali said in a statement yesterday that Catherine Shapati, 54, and Audrey Namutowe, 28, both residents of Lusaka were arrested at Sao Paulo International Airport for trafficking in different quantities of cocaine.
Ms Namutowe was found with about 10 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in several handbags which were put in her suit case while Ms Shapati was found with an undisclosed quantity of cocaine hidden in the backpacks of her suitcase.
The two were arrested in separate incidents by the Brazilian federal police as they were about to board South African Airways flights to Johannesburg.
Ms Shapati and Ms Namutowe are being held at a women’s prison in Sao Paulo awaiting trial.
“The commission would like to warn members of the public especially women that there is a vicious and ruthless drug cartel operating in the Southern African Development Community region and is attempting to set up base in Zambia to recruit more drug couriers,” Mr Nyawali said
The Copper prices yesterday went up backed by better-than-expected Chinese growth and hopes of further monetary policy easing by the American Federal Reserve.
According to Reuters, the positive factors outweighed fears of spreading debt contagion across Europe and the possibility of more tightening measures by Beijing for now.
The prices for the three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 0.7 per cent to US$9,720 a tonne while the most-active September copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange jumped nearly 1.9 per cent to 72,460 Yuan per tonne.
China’s economy grew by 9.5 per cent in the second quarter from a year ago, not far from the 9.7 per cent expansion in the first three months of the year.
The data lifted Asian equities and other risk assets, despite nagging worries of a global slowdown at a time euro zone debt worries are also deterring investors.
Equally supportive of the base metals, was the belief by some Federal Reserve officials that further monetary policy easing could be needed if the recovery remains too sluggish to cut the stubbornly high America’s
jobless rate.
This raised hopes of a continued loose monetary policy that is supportive of commodities and pared the dollar’s strength from a four-month high reached in the previous session.
China’s June refined copper and copper concentrate outputs rose to 8.7 per cent and 12.7 per cent from May, respectively.
Coupled with a rebound in June copper imports and reported declines in Chinese bonded and ShFE warehouses data pointed to a steady demand for
the metal, traders said.
On a more pessimistic note, Moody’s cut Ireland’s credit rating to junk, warning that the debt-laden country was likely to need a second bailout, heightening fears of debt contagion in Europe.
[Times of Zambia]
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda arrived in Livingstone yesterday afternoon for a three-day working visit.
The presidential jet carrying Mr Banda, who was accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe, landed at Livingstone International Airport around 16:26 hours and the delegation proceeded to Royal Livingstone Hotel.
Mr Banda was welcomed by special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere, Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor, Livingstone District Commissioner Francis Chika, Government officials and MMD members.
He is today expected to officiate at the 2011 Zambia Air Force (ZAF) commissioning parade where officer cadets would graduate after one year of intensive training.
Among the graduating officers would be females, in line with the policy of President Banda’s Government which ensures women were provided with equal opportunities of competing with their male counterparts.
The ZAF academy in Livingstone has been producing quality officers for more than 40 years and many former students have risen to be high-ranking officers in Zambia’s military establishment.
After officiating at the ZAF commissioning parade, President Banda would address a public rally at Maramba Stadium.
The presidential delegation is expected to return to Lusaka after concluding business.
[Times of Zambia]
Tourism minister and Natural resorces minister Catherine Namugala with Commerce and trade Industry Felix Mutati during the Kasama MMD Provincial Conference
MMD chairperson for commerce, trade and industry Felix Mutati has said he is focused on helping the ruling party become stronger because it has demonstrated its vision to improve the living standards of the Zambian people.
He said the MMD Government would continue taking development to all the parts of the country.
Mr Mutati said the Government would ensure more job opportunities were created for the citizens so that they contribute to the growth of the economy.
He dispelled reports that he intended to defect to the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
He said he could not defect to PF because the MMD Government had continued to score tremendous successes in making Zambia a better country than it was some years ago.
“Let’s deal with serious national issues. I am a focused MMD member holding very senior positions and now I am in Mpika carrying out Government work. So why should some people force me to defect?” Mr Mutati asked.
THE sister of former President Levy Mwanawasa, Evelyn, has described her nephew Patrick’s remarks against President Banda and the MMD as childish and a sign of desperation.
And the Mushili chiefdom on the Copperbelt has warned the people of Kafulafuta Constituency not to vote for Patrick because he is likely to insult their chiefs as he is doing to President Banda.
Ms Mwanawasa, who is MMD national trustee, said in a statement issued in Kitwe yesterday that Dr Mwanawasa respected President Banda and it is unfortunate that Patrick is attacking the head of State and the MMD.
She said the Mwanawasa family has resolved to support President Banda as it did in 2008.
“Patrick’s attacks on the MMD and President Banda are childish and desperate. The attacks by Patrick and those who are using him are a desperate move to gain political mileage.
“It is unfortunate that Patrick has decided, without consulting or getting advice from family members, to attack the President, whom his father (Dr Mwanawasa) respected,” she said.
She regretted that the people Patrick has embraced used to call his father names when he was alive.
And the Mushili chiefdom has warned the people of Kafulafuta Constituency not to vote for Patrick.
The establishment’s spokesperson Robert Mushili said Patrick should be mindful of Zambian tradition which demands that young people respect elders.
“We will make sure he does not become our member of Parliament in Kafulafuta because we do not want him to insult our chiefs as he is insulting President Banda,” Prince Mushili said.
He wondered how Patrick could claim that President Banda will not bring him down when he has never ascended to a position of influence.
“Patrick has never worked anywhere, he has never been a member of Parliament, councillor or branch official. So how can anyone bring him down?
“We warn the leaders of the Patriotic Front who are encouraging him to attack the President that he will turn against them and start insulting them in the future,” Prince Mushili said.
Meanwhile, the Evangelical Youth Alliance (EYA) and MMD youth wing said in separate interviews yesterday that Patrick should desist from using bad language when referring to seasoned politicians if he hopes to succeed with his political aspirations.
EYA executive director Moses Lungu said Zambians are from a cultural background which shapes the future and tradition urges young people to respect all elders.
Reverend Lungu said Patrick is irresponsible and has failed to use various opportunities because of his negative attitude and has allowed himself to be used by politicians who have an agenda to drag the president into disrepute.
And Lusaka province MMD youth vice-chairperson Watson Mtonga said it is disappointing that Patrick can entangle himself in character assassination.
Mr Mtonga said MMD youths laboured to campaign for Dr Mwanawasa in the 2008 elections, and Patrick should respect his father’s successor.
And NKWETO MFULA reports that National Initiative for Citizens Awareness president Kelvin Sampa said Patrick is being used by disgruntled politicians who want to gain political mileage.
Mr Sampa said the people of Kafulafuta cannot waste a vote on Patrick Mwanawasa because he is an immature young man who cannot bring any development in the area.
“The people of Kafulafuta have said no to vote for the immature young boy who is supposed to concentrate on school. Patrick is a young immature person who is being used by some people to gain political mileage,” he said.
THE MMD says it does not use public funds to pursue political activities in the country as alleged by United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema.
And MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe has advised politicians to allow President Banda to make decisions concerning elections without undue influence.
Major Kachingwe said in Lusaka yesterday that the MMD does not get funding from government and that none of its ministers use public funds to conduct party functions.
He said it is wrong for Mr Hichilema to make such allegations because it is not true that the MMD uses public resources to carry out party functions.
“Our ministers are not abusing resources because the MMD has money. We use party resources to carry out party duties,” Maj Kachingwe said.
He said the MMD does not have to explain to anyone whenever it releases funds to party members because the funds are not public.
Mr Hichilema said yesterday on Hot FM Radio that President Banda is delaying the dissolution of Parliament because he wants his ministers to continue using government resources.
And Maj Kachingwe says President Banda should not be forced to make any pronouncements regarding elections.
He said the President makes decisions in the interest of the people and not to please a few individuals who have not prepared adequately for the polls.
Maj Kachingwe said the President has made it clear that he is still in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and that at an appropriate time, he will dissolve Parliament and announce the election date.
“I think people should not force President Banda to make an announcement on elections because he is still consulting,” Maj Kachingwe said.
THE Evangelical Youth Alliance International says it is inhumane for former minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti to call a clergyman of Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha’s calibre as a reverend of Satan.
The organisation’s president, Moses Lungu, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday it is disappointing for Mr Mulongoti, who is a son of a reverend, to demean an ordained minister such as Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha.
Mr Mulongoti was recently quoted in the media as having referred to Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, as a reverend of Satan.
“Mr Mulongoti, being a son of late reverend Isaiah Mulongoti, should set a good example to the young generation that the language he used to describe Gen Shikapwasha is unpalatable,” Reverend Lungu said.
He said it is disappointing that such language can come from a former Cabinet minister.
Rev Lungu said Mr Mulongoti should not resort to insulting Cabinet ministers and the MMD because he has fallen out of favour with the ruling party.
He said Mr Mulongoti is frustrated because he did not expect to leave Government soon.
Rev Lungu also said it is not right for the former Cabinet minister to complain about the operations of the public media when he allegedly abused it when he was minister of Information and Broadcasting Services.
He said the public media has been fair in its coverage, but it is people such as Mr Mulongoti who want to mislead the nation that it is biased.
Rev Lungu said the public media has the mandate to provide the public with information that will help to maintain peace and stability in the country.
He said some sections of the media have created an impression that President Banda’s administration is not delivering on its development agenda, which is not true.
He said it is the mandate of the public media to properly inform the public on the developmental projects Government is undertaking.
Rev Lungu also said it is not fair for the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to accuse the public media of being biased.
He said LAZ should rise above pettiness when commenting on media coverage and give fair guidance on such matters.
THE Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has sued former Deputy Minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani for non-payment of rent arrears for his Chipata residence amounting to K37 million.
According to a writ of summons obtained by the Zambia Daily Mail issued by the Chipata High Court and served on Mr Mangani yesterday by Fred Jere and Company, the former Chipata Central member of Parliament has not paid the outstanding amount accruing from 2009.
Mr Mangani has been given a 14-day ultimatum to respond to the suit, from the date of service of the writ of summons.
Details of the claim case number 2011/HJ/18 in the Chipata High Court are that Mr Mangani owes TBZ a total sum of K37 million rent arrears in respect of Plot number 1463 Umodzi Highway, Chipata, which the former minister is occupying.
The statement of claim indicates that the rent arrears have accumulated from K7,450,000 in 2009 to K37 million as at July this year.
The plaintiff has asked the Chipata High Court to order Mr Mangani’s eviction from the house, pay the arrears in full with interest and costs of the action.
The statement of claim also states that the plaintiff, was at all material times a registered and statutory board which runs the tobacco industry in Zambia.
Mr Mangani was at all material times a tenant in the plaintiff’s house situated on Plot 1463 Umodzi Highway, Chipata.
“The defendant has ignored several demands from the plaintiff to settle the outstanding amount and to express interest to renew the lease agreement which expired on December 31, 2010, hence the need for immediate possession of the house,” the statement of claim reads in part.
And investigations by the Zambia Daily Mail have revealed that the house whose rent arrears have totalled K37 million, is currently being occupied by Mr Mangani’s second wife Mary who is a former Catholic nun.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
Education Minister and MMD Party Spokesperson Dora Siliya
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has criticized people advocating for change of government in Zambia saying they have no heart for the country and the sufferings of the people.
Speaking when she met heads of government departments, parastatal organizations, civil society groups and NGO’s in Mufulira over the weekend, Ms Siliya said the MMD government under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda has scored tremendous strides in developing the country.
Ms. Siliya further said the MMD government under the able leadership of President Banda has reduced poverty among Zambians, a reason she said Zambians need to maintain the current government beyond this years’ general elections.
She said the MMD has changed party leaders and ministers over the past years it has been in power unlike some opposition political parties that have had the same leaders for over ten years.
She urged the people of Zambia to judge the MMD based on what they have done in terms of development as they call for change of government.
She further noted that Zambians should judge the MMD based on what the party’s political opponents have done and what they are capable of doing.
Ms Siliya cited some opposition political leaders that are advocating for legalization of homosexuality in the country and wondered if that is the change the people of Zambia needed.
She said change of government should only be done when the current one fails and not just calling for change without serious reasoning.
She however stressed that the MMD under the leadership of President Banda has not failed because it was revamping all sectors of the economy among them the increase in investments in the mining sector, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development.
[ZANIS]
Chieftainess Nawaitwika of the Namwanga people of Nakonde district in Northern Province says she is impressed with the Government’s sourced investment into the border town.
Chieftainess Nawaitwika said she has been hearing and seeing on the television some other areas in the country where investors are doing quite a lot in terms of development.
She said it is a privilege for Nakonde residents to have investors whose projects will benefit many people in the chiefdom and improve their living standards.
Chieftainess Nawaitwika was speaking in Nakonde on Tuesday at Mwetwa Conference Hall in a speech read on her behalf by her representative Kingfred Siame during the signing ceremony of a US$450 million biofuel project Investment Promotion and Protecion Agreement (IPPA) between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Kaidi Biomass Zambia Limited (KBZ).
Commerce Minister Felix Mutati signed on behalf of Government while Tao Bihua signed on behalf of KBZ.
Chieftainess Nawaitwika applauded Government through the Ministry of Commerce for partnering with Biomass Zambia Limited which has come to invest in Nakonde and Isoka districts.
She said that it is her prayer that this programme will not just end at signing papers but be operationalised as soon as possible.
The traditional ruler said she is optimistic that when this programme starts, it will create employment to the people of Nakonde.
“This programme will also bring infrastructure development, poverty reduction and other multiplying effects that will boost our local economy and indeed Zambia as a whole,” said Chieftainess Nawaitwika.
Meanwhile, chieftainess Nawaitwika has commended Government for various developmental projects it was undertaking in the border town.
She named the construction of the water dam, district hospital and the one-stop-border as some of the projects that will greatly benefit the local people and thanked President Rupiah Bwezani Banda for supporting Nakonde district with developmental projects worth billions of kwacha.
Chieftainess Nawaitwika also appealed to the people of Nakonde and all peace loving Zambians to maintain peace and order as the country goes to the polls sometime this year.
And representative of Chief Katyetye of the Tambo people of Isoka district, James Silomba said people in the area are excited with the biofuel project that he said will completely change their lives.
Chief Katyetye said people in his chiefdom are indebted to President Banda for sourcing the multi million dollar investement for the people of Nakonde and Isoka districts.
And a Councillor where the project will be located in Nakonde district said people in his ward are happy with Government for its continued efforts in bringing development to rural parts of the country.
Morton Silomba who is an MMD ward Councillor said people in the area have welcomed the investment and are willing to work together with the investor to bring about meaningful development to the area.
Phase one of the Biomass project which is set to commence immediately includes setting up of biofuels feedstock plantations, construction of biofuels processing plants, construction of biomass power plants, and construction of local infrastructure such as houses, roads, electricity and schools among others in both Nakonde and Isoka districts.
[ZANIS]
Former Works and Supply Deputy Minister Lameck Mangani has cited his loss at the just ended MMD convention as one of the reasons for his resignation.
Mr Mangani who was vying for the position of MMD National Chairman at the convention says he felt humiliated by the way his colleagues in the party treated him.
The Chipata Central MP says that he had been consulting with several friends in the political arena over a week before he arrived at his decision to resign.
Mr Mangani told ZNBC News in Chipata on Thursday that he will soon announce his next action.
He says his decision was not born out of personal vendetta against president Rupiah Banda but was purely based on principle.
And MMD founding member Chisala Chilufya says Residents of Chipata feel betrayed by Mr Mangani’s resignation because he was considered a close friend to president Rupiah Banda.
He adds that Mr Mangani’s resignation has not shaken the party in Chipata and that the area remains an MMD stronghold.
FLASHBACK: President Rupiah Banda talks to Education Deputy Minister Boniface Kawimbe as Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma (center) looks on before he left for South Sudan at Lusaka1 International Airport
President Rupiah Banda has welcomed the reclassification of Zambia as a middle income country by the World Bank.
The President has pledged to ensure that Zambians start feeling the benefits of better salaries and standards of living.
He says this will be done through having a stable economy which will create jobs, increase foreign investment and eradicate poverty.
President Banda says the reclassification reinforces his achievement in building a better future for all Zambians.
The President says the World Bank’s decision is the latest in a long line of economic achievements which are directly having a positive impact on the Zambian people.
President Banda says Zambia’s economy is delivering growth of more than seven percent despite continued recession in many parts of the world.
He says his Government is also in the process of establishing multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks to promote the manufacturing sector.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News by Special Assistant to the President Dickson Jere.
Zambia has been named by the World Bank as a new middle income country together with Ghana.
The Banks latest assessment for this year ranks Zambia 27th and Ghana 28th.
ZNBC EDITOR’ NOTE
Can Read more on http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jul/12/world-bank-reclassifies-28-poor-countries
THE Kitwe High Court has convicted two juveniles for manslaughter after allegedly causing the death of a Kitwe man over alcohol, they will be sentenced next week after receiving a social report from the social welfare department.
High Court Judge Catherine Makungu convicted the two juveniles aged 18 and 19 after she found them guilty of manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of Mutale Makumba on November 25 last year.
The juveniles were charged with murder but the court found them guilty of manslaughter.
In delivering judgment, Justice Makungu noted that the juveniles were drunk, unruly and were angered by the deceased refusal to sell them beer.
She was satisfied that the accused persons had a common skim to attack and assault the deceased whom they left at the scene after killing him and died of internal bleeding and brain damage.
Evidence in court was that the juveniles, who are cousins were drinking at a bar in Mulenga Township and when beer was sold out, the duo decided to go to Twesheko bar where the deceased and his nephew Emmanuel Chansa were.
When the juveniles reached Twesheko bar they were informed that they could not be sold the beer and that was when one of them threw a stone at the late Mr Makumba.
The court heard that the deceased gave chase until he got hold of one of them who started calling his other colleagues for help and that was how they all started beating the deceased.
The deceased who was later found lying near Mulenga market was pronounced dead at Kitwe Central Hospital.
In mitigation, the juveniles through legal aid senior counsel Humphery Mweemba said they were still youths with a possible chance of reformation if given a chance.
They said they had been in custody since December last year and that the period had taught them a lesson as they had found themselves in such circumstances because of engaging in beer drinking.
The court will sentence the two on July 22 after receiving a social report from the social welfare department.
A Southern California woman was in jail Wednesday after allegedly drugging her husband, cutting off his penis, throwing it into the garbage disposal and turning it on, Orange County police said.
Catherine Kieu Becker put a drug or poison in her husband’s dinner Monday evening to make him sleepy, according to the initial police investigation.
“The victim went to lie down and he woke up tied to the bed with his wife tugging his clothes off,” police said. “The suspect grabbed the victim’s penis and cut it off.”
Becker told police he “deserved it” when they arrived at the scene after she called 911, the police report said. The couple is going through a divorce.
Becker, 48, was arrested for aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, administering a drug with intent to commit a felony, poisoning, and spousal abuse. She was booked into the Orange County Jail.
The 51-year-old victim, who hasn’t been identified because he is an alleged victim of spousal abuse, underwent emergency surgery at the UCI Medical Center, police said.
[CNN.COM]
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has finally commenced the purchasing of maize and paddy rice from local farmers.
This is despite the current crop marketing season having started on 1st May.
FRA Marketing Information Coordinator, Joseph Mulambu says the delay is due to the crop’s moisture content.
Mr. Mulambu has explained that the crop can be bought when the moisture content is at the recommended 12.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the FRA has to date sold 536,453 metric tonnes of maize valued at over 89.7 million dollars, of which 316,197 tonnes were exports valued at 52.8 million dollars.
Mr. Mulambu says the FRA maize market included Zimbabwe, Congo D.R and other countries in the SADC and COMESA regions.
