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Delegates to the MMD conference dancing before the start of the event
The resignation of works and supply deputy minister Lameck Mangani coupled with his planned defection to the Patriotic Front has caused panic in the MMD top leadership, highly placed sources have disclosed to QFM.
Senior MMD officials, including president Rupiah Banda are said to be shocked by the unexpected resignation of Mr. Mangani.
Sources have told QFM that the news has come as a surprise to the party leadership especially that most of them thought that the perceived differences between Mr. Mangani and President Banda were ironed out when he was appointed works and supply deputy minister after being fired as home affairs minister.
The MMD is said to weary that the resignation of Mr. Mangani will enable the Patriotic Front make inroads in the eastern province considered an MMD stronghold.
Works and supply deputy minister announced his resignation from government and the MMD today in letters sent to President Rupiah Banda and MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe dated 8th July, 2011.
Tourism minister Catherine Namugala (r) with sacked permanent secretary Lilian Kapulu in Lusaka
The workers at Ministry of Tourism and Environment workers have urged President Rupiah Banda that the removal of Permanent Secretary Lilian Kapulu from her position will not bring a positive change to the ministry until changes were made at lower levels.
In their letter made available to LusakaTimes the workers revealed that the two Directors of Tourism and Forestry are well known non-performers who have overstayed and are literally controlling the Permanent Secretaries no matter who the President appoint.
They noted that Ms Kapulu is professional and could not understand why she was relieved off her duties.
”However, if President Banda really want to make positive changes to the ministry then you should consider changes at lower levels as well,” the workers said.
The workers noted that the two directors of the departments are outdated in their approach and have not shown any meaning initiative to revive the departments of Tourism and Forestry.
“Tourism and forestry policies are decades behind compared to our neighbouring countries which we now cannot compete with like Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is way ahead of us despite its problems,” the letter read in part.
They said two named directors’ preoccupation is mainly attending international workshops which seem to be yielding nothing to improve the ministry.
The workers observed that the country’s forest is perpetually dwindling in size as there is barely any conservation effort.
They also said that Heads of departments, parastatals, donors, and NGOs have complained about the lack of performance by the Directors of Tourism and Forestry.
“This is an embarrassment to your government. Some donors have even threatened to withhold aid if no changes are made at these levels, while civil servants under these departments are equally frustrated as they are continually intimidated the named Directors.
“So we are now left to wonder if you Mr President care about our tourism, forests and the workers employed in these sectors.” the workers complained in their letter.
They said two Directors should not allowed to ruin the benefits from tourism and forests and hence their appeal to the President to act in the national interest.
“Remember sir, even the civil servants and workers under these sectors and their families are voters too, if you do not act they will, “the workers said.
President Banda this week sacked Ms Kapulu as Permanent Secretary and replaced her with Former Energy and water Development Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba.
The Supreme Court has cleared Education minister Dora Siliya of allegations of breaching the constitution by turning down the attorney general’s advice regarding tenders to evaluate Zamtel assets, when she served as Communications and transport Minister.
This is an appeal case filed by former Transport Minister William Harringtone.
The appeal was heard by a panel of five Supreme Court Judges.
These were Deputy Chief Justice Irene Mambilima, Judges Lombe Chibesakunda, Marvin Mwanamwambwa, and Hilda Chibomba and retired Supreme Court Judge Sandson Silomba.
Judge Mwanamwambwa delivered the judgment on Friday on behalf of other Supreme Court Judges.
He dismissed five out of the seven grounds of appeal raised by Mr Harrington.
Judge Mwanamwambwa also cautioned lawyers against making imputations that judges are biased when cases are not adjudicated in their favour.
In June 2009, Supreme Court Judge Philip Musonda reversed the Judge Dennis Chirwa tribunal ruling that Ms Siliya breached the constitution by defying the Attorney General’s advice on the award of tender to evaluate Zamtel assets.
And Dora Siliya, who is MMD Spokesperson, has challenged people on the Copperbelt to take advantage of the available business opportunities to develop themselves.
Ms Siliya says the MMD government has put in place a number of business interventions Zambians can exploit to develop themselves.
She has cited the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission and Youth Empowerment Funds which local people can access and create wealth for themselves.
Ms Siliya was speaking in Mufulira on Friday when she addressed a public meeting meant to explain to the people the achievements of the MMD government.
The meeting which is being held at Mufulira High School has been attended by civil society, the church, civil servants and the general public.
She also says the Ministries of Community Development and Gender have enough funds which can be used by women interested in form clubs and associations.
Ms Siliya has called on people on the Copperbelt to judge the MMD government based on what it has done for the people of Zambia instead of using emotions to effect change.
INFORMATION and Boardcasting Srvices Ronnie Shikapwasha and former Zambia Security Intelligence Services director Xevier Chungu joins Kwini Traditional dancing troupe during the Bwile Royal Establishment fundraining dinner
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Democratic Republic of Congo singer,Mbilia Bel Mboyo is welcomed by Emmanuel Mwamba at Chiluba's funeral house in kabulonga
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Emmanuel Mwamba (c) confers with Zambia Tourism Public Relations Manager, Caristo Chitafya at Chiluba's funeral house in kabulonga .Looking on is Democratic Republic of Congo singer,Mbilia Bel Mboyo
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Democratic Republic of Congo singer,Mbilia Bel Mboyo comforts Mrs Regina Chiluba at the funeral house in kabulonga
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Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane (right) talks to Deputy Minister Chileshe Kapwepwe after he addressed journalists in Lusaka
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An artistic impression of an ultra-modern multi-billion dollar mixed development complex that will house a five star hotel, offices and a shopping center at Longacres lodge
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The lodge in Lusaka is billed for re-development by Thuthuka Group limited of Sourth Africa
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New Look Manda Hill
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NCHANGA Mine rescure Team B Captain Jonathan Kolala inspects air underground during the Zambia Mine Rescure Association competetion at Namundwe Mine
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Typical scene on road to the copperbelt Lead vehicle zizzagging across both lanes to warn incoming vehicles of abnormal load
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Abnormal load
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Road to the Airport near the famous PHI housing project
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Road blocks still a main feature on long distance drive in Zambia. vehicles queing at road block
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Police officer manning the police check point known in some circles as officers ATMs
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President Rupiah Banda blends in at a funeral of his relative in Chipata recently
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Players from Diggers and Nchanga fight for the ball in a scram during the Lusaka Challenge rugby tournament which was held at the showground in Lusaka 1
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Athletes run along Kasangula road during the Olympic Day Fun Run in Lusaka2
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Athletes run along Kasangula road during the Olympic Day Fun Run in Lusaka
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has advised Zambians not to be deceived by the self imposed popularity of some opposition leaders who are making headlines in some tabloids.
Mr. Hichilema says making headlines and what is obtaining on the political ground are different.
He says it is wrong for any leader to assume that they can control voters through making newspaper headlines.
Mr. Hichilema says being sidelined on coverage by some media institutions has given his party an opportunity to get to the grassroots physically.
Mr. Hichilema was speaking at a media briefing at the party secretariat this afternoon.
He also says it is mischievous for the Patriotic Front-PF to think that they still hold ground on the Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces.
Works and Supply Deputy Minister Lameck Mangani has resigned from both government and the MMD with immediate effect.
Mr Mangani who is MMD Chipata central Member of Parliament is also planning to join the opposition Patriotic Front.
Mr Mangani has since written to President Rupiah Banda informing him of his decision to quit.
In his letter dated 8th July, 2011, obtained by QFM Mr Mangani has thanked President Banda for according him the chance to serve in his government.
He has also written to the MMD national secretary withdrawing his membership from the party.
He becomes the second senior MMD official to resign from the ruling party in a space of days after former MMD Chairperson for Women and Chongwe Member of parliament Sylvia Masebo who has since joined the Patriotic Front.
MINISTER of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha has described as malicious a Post newspaper story purporting that he led a group of MMD national executive committee (NEC) members to resolve wrangles over the adoption of MMD Parliamentary candidates in Western Province.
In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said the author of the story concocted everything attributed to him (the minister).
He said there is no strife in the adoption of Parliamentary candidates in the province as purported by the Post.
He said the party in the province is intact and the adoption process is going on smoothly.
“The meeting, which the author of the malicious story claims to have been attended by honourable Dr Kalombo Mwansa (Minister of Defence), honourable Moses Muteteka (Deputy Minister of Local Government) and Western Province Minister Richard Mwapela and others, was a figment of his imagination.
“At no point did I utter any words to the effect that I and other NEC members mentioned in the article, together with some senior MMD officials in Western Province, were in the region to establish why problems were lingering over the adoption of candidates,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Chief Government spokesperson and MMD chairman for security, denied ever talking about the Linyungandambo, a pressure group, or whether the group has merged with the Barotse Freedom Movement, or about the status of the group.
He said he never asked MMD Western provincial secretary Fines Likando to tell him who was more popular in Mongu Central between incumbent MP Joseph Mulyata and former Economics Association of Zambia president Mwilola Imakando.
“Neither did I express interest to know the number of meetings each of the two held in their bid to be adopted as candidates for the Mongu Central seat.
“The whole story is a malicious fabrication. It was created at the Post,” he said.
PRESIDENT Banda has launched his Facebook page which will provide members of the public information about him and his family.
The Facebook page was launched yesterday after a successful response to the development map page and his website. (http://www.presidentbanda.com/map.aspx).
This is contained in a statement released yesterday by special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere.
Mr Jere said Facebook was used effectively during campaigns by President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria in the run-up to the recent elections in that country and by President Obama of the United States.
He said visitors can find the President’s Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rupiah-Bwezani Banda/130153693719287
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) President Dr. Alex Ng’oma has refuted a story attributed to him in today’s Zambia Daily Mail Newspapers as having described the opposition Patriotic Front as dictatorial.
Dr. Ng’oma has since written to the Zambia Daily Mail management demanding an apology and the retraction of the article in question in the next edition of the newspaper as the article contains views he did not express.
In a letter dated 7th July, 2011, addressed to the Daily mail News editor and made available to QFM, Dr. Ng’oma states that the article in question is malicious and intended to injure him and to destroy the non partisanship reputation of FODEP.
He has further threatened to commence legal proceedings against the state owned newspaper should they fail to heed to his demands.
Dr. Ng’oma has also explained that earlier today he had a phone conversation with the author of the story Caroline Kalombe who confirmed that he did not express the views contained in the article but that other people at Daily Mail distorted the story.
He has since stated that as a result of this incidence, his future interviews with the Zambia Daily Mail will strictly be in writing.
Government has said that it is a fallacy to claim that a country like Zambia can resolve unemployment in 90 days.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato said in Lusaka yesterday that the claim is far-fetched.
Mr Sata said on Hot Fm Radio that he would create employment for all Zambians to the extent that the country would have to outsource, as everyone would be employed.
“Only untruthful politicians can take advantage of the unemployed by promising them jobs in three months. Even those who do not understand economics cannot believe that this is possible.
“Mr Sata is misleading only those who have little understanding of economics and taking advantage of the vulnerable,” Mr Liato said.
Mr Liato said Zambians cannot be cheated and they are wise enough to know that Mr Sata is politicking and does not understand what he is talking about.
He said President Banda has been working hard to improve the economy and create employment.
Government has put in place various policies to ensure that the country attracts investors and opens up employment opportunities.
He said Mr Sata should tell the nation why he failed to do what he claims can be done when he was in government.
“He should first explain to the nation what has changed now before making such promises,” Mr Liato said.
Patriotic Front (PF) Kabwata Member of Parliament, Given Lubinda has filed a police complaint over an email published in the media alleging that he sourced money from Taiwan.
In the respective email, purportedly sent to PF Secretary General, Wynter Kabimba, Mr Lubinda is said to have commented over a 45 million dollars donated to the party from Afghanstian and Taiwan.
Mr Lubinda has reported his complaint to Lusaka Central Police station.
Earlier in the day, Police Director of Operations, Solomon Jere could not receive Mr Lubinda’s complaint at Zambia Police Headquarters.
Dr Jere advised Mr Lubinda to report the complaint to Lusaka central police.
And a senior police officer today harassed 4 Lusaka journalists among them a MUVI TV reporter, Paul Shalala. Others who were harassed were Evans Sinjela of 5-FM and Allan Mulenga as well as Bright Mukwasa, all from the Post Newspapers.
The journalists were harassed by Lusaka Division Police Deputy Commanding Officer, Jackson Simfukwe, as they pursued a story at Lusaka Central Police Station.
[pullquote]Mr. Simfukwe verbally abused the journalists and chased them saying he did not want to see them at the central police.[/pullquote]
Mr. Simfukwe verbally abused the journalists and chased them saying he did not want to see them at the central police.
He further personally directed his officers to escort the journalists out of central police premise.
The journalists were at central police covering Patriotic Front (PF) Kabwata Member of Parliament, Given Lubinda.
But Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana has described the incident as very unfortunate.
Earlier this week, 2 MUVI TV Journalists were verbally harassed by a Patriotic Front (PF) cadre verbally harassed in Kabwe, however the party has since apologised.
The Barclays English Premier League Trophy will be in Zambia for one day in Lusaka on Saturday.
“The Barclays Premier League trophy will travel to meet fans in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Singapore, New Zealand, India, Indonesia and across America,” Barclays Bank Zambia head of corporate affairs Webster Malido said.
However, there will be no star player from the EPL with the trophy on the tour.
He said the Barclays EPL trophy tour public viewing will be at both the Lusaka Showgrounds and Barclays Bank’s Manda Hill branch.
Malido said the first Barclays EPL public display will be at the Lusaka Showgrounds staring at 09:15 and move to the Barclays Manda Hill branch from 12:00 hours to 16:00 before the tour moves to Botswana on Sunday.
The much delayed KCM football awards ceremony will finally take place next week in Lusaka.
KCM vice president – human resources David Kaunda announced in a statement today that the final edition of the KCM awards will be on July 12.
Starting this season, mobile phone giant MTN will take over as new sponsors of the Faz league.
Kaunda said KCM was honored to have been the main sponsor of the Faz Premier League from 2005 to 2010.
“Awards will soon be presented in all categories very soon. We are proud to have been sponsors and we are sure the deserving footballers and clubs will be encouraged with the tokens they will receive. KCM is working with the FAZ to ensure this is done as soon as possible,” Kaunda said.
Hazel Kennedy, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia
South Africa’s sporting facilities have come in for praise from Zambia’s National Olympic Committee Secretary-General, who would like to see South Africa host the Olympic Games.
Speaking of the International Olympic Committee meeting in Durban this week, Hazel Kennedy said: We are hoping that this forum will help show that they can be in the running; perhaps not 2020, but beyond. They are in the best position to put forward a bid, and I think it would be good for us too. I am sure that a lot of African countries would want to support something like that and it indirectly does a lot for other countries.”
“South Africa did a good job on the soccer and you want to ride on the positive side of that. A lot of their facilities have been upgraded to a very high standard,” said Copperbelt-based Kennedy.
Former National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) president Patrick Chamunda is a member of the International Olympic Committee and will be voting in Durban this week for the city to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Miriam Moyo has since taken over from mr Chamunda as NOCZ president.
South Africa hosts the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 123rd Session in Durban from July 4-9, 2011.
This is the first time in the 117 years of the IOC – since the very first session in Paris, France, back in 1894 – that the event is being hosted in Africa. This comes one year after South Africa hosted one of FIFA’s most successful ever World Cups.
At least 2,500 top world sport administrators, royalty, government leaders and media are expected to descend on this coastal city for the biggest biannual meeting of leaders in global sport.
The highlight of the 2011 IOC meeting will be the announcement of the winning bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The three bidding cities, Munich (Germany), Annecy (France) and PyeongChang (South Korea) are expected to bring huge bid delegations.
The choice of South Africa for the 2011 IOC session reaffirms the recognition of the country’s expertise in hosting global sporting events and its emerging economic status.
Since 1994, South Africa has hosted several major international sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup in 1995, African Cup of Nations in 1996, the Cricket World Cup in 2003, the Women’s World Cup of Golf annually between 2005 and 2008 and last year’s FIFA World Cup, the first ever hosted on African soil.
The successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2010 provided an opportunity for Africa to be repositioned as a destination of choice for tourism and emerging market investment.
For South Africa, the hosting of global events is seen as an opportunity to boost the economy and create jobs. The country actively pursues such opportunities and already, 200 meetings and conferences have been secured over the next five years. This is expected to boost revenue by R1.6 billion.
Miller Matola, CEO of the International Marketing Council of SA (IMC) said: “We welcome the delegates and guests to the 123 general session of the IOC. The hosting of such a great event will make a direct contribution to tourism revenue and we are confident that the experience of delegates in South Africa will turn them into brand ambassadors for the country.
“As a proud host country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa delivered a truly memorable and world-class African tournament, as the world experienced Africa’s rich diversity and imbibed in the spirit of ‘ubuntu’; which relates to humanity’s interconnectedness.
The overwhelmingly positive international coverage of the World Cup countered Afro-pessimism and South Africa surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. The reputational boost that was generated will be felt for years to come.”
The international Olympic movement played a major role in isolating the apartheid state before 1992 and readmitted the country to international participation two years before the formal transition to the democratic state in 1994
“Given the divisions of the past, sport remains an important vehicle through which to unite South Africans and develop communities,” Matola said. “Having the IOC in the country is also an affirmation that the government supports all sporting codes, even though football, rugby and cricket attract so much attention”.
The IOC session will put the focus again on the Olympic sporting codes and will provide an opportunity for South Africans to interact with the IOC leadership and prominent athletes.
Sentimentally important will be a reception during the period of the IOC meeting marking the marriage of IOC member Prince Albert of Monaco and the South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.
Later this year, the country is scheduled to host COP 17, the largest gathering of world leaders and civil organisations to discuss climate change. There are huge expectations around this meeting and all eyes of the world will once again be on South Africa.
Authorities at Solwezi General Hospital in Northwestern Province have dismissed claims by members of the public that a patient died on the queue whilst waiting to be attended to by
medical personnel two days ago.
Hospital Medical Superintendent Brown Kandongo dismissed the allegations when Provincial Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba paid a surprise visit to the health institution yesterday.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Kandongo said the claim was false and unfounded.
He explained that the hospital was working hard to provide quality medical services to the people despite being faced with a challenge of inadequate medical personnel.
He said the health institution had enough medicine in stock and assured people in the district of quality health service any time they visited the institution.
And Mr. Mumba said Government was committed to providing quality health care services to the public.
The Permanent Secretary said for this reason, Government was constructing four heath centers in Kizhingezhinge, Zambia, Mushitala and Zangamenu compounds in Solwezi district to help decongest the general hospital.
Mr Mumba said he was hopeful that when these health centers were completed, complaints of poor health care provision would reduce.
He said members of the general public would be properly attended to by health workers and would no longer spend long hours on queues at health institutions.
