NETBALL:GBFC Win Independence Cup

Sports

sports

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October 26, 2022

Green Buffaloes have scooped the 2022 Independence Netball Tournament organised by the Netball Association of Zambia at Mukuba Mall in Kitwe.

The Zambia Army ladies beat Prisons Leopards 11-10 in the finals to win the two-day competition.

Red Arrows emerged third at the competition and Green Buffaloes won the men’s category.

Teams from Lusaka, Western and Copperbelt provinces participated in the two-day tournament at Mukuba Mall in Kitwe.

Netball Zambia Vice President Technical Jessy Miyambo said the tournament was well organised.

Miyambo said it was gratifying to see teams from the elite league, community and men’s netball participate in the competition.

Mighty Take Command of National Div 1 Top Spot

Sports

sports

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October 26, 2022

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Mighty Take Command of National Div 1 Top Spot

Mighty Mufulira Wanderers are celebrating after supplanting promotion rivals Trident from the top of the FAZ National Division 1 table.

Wanderers at the weekend thumped Trident 3-0 at home in Mufulira to move to the top of the table.

Clive Biyeta, Joseph Mumbi and Martin Sikaonga were the scorers for Mighty in the Week 9 match at Shinde Stadium in Kantanshi Township.

The big win moved Wanderers two places up to number one.

This was Mighty’s third win in their last five matches.

Wanderers have 18 points in nine matches.

Trident are second on 18 points due to inferior goal difference against Wanderers.

Meanwhile, Kafue Eagles and Indeni complete the top four in that order with 17 and 15 points respectively.

FAZ NATIONAL DIVISION ONE WEEK 9 RESULTS

Atletico Lusaka 1-1 City of Lusaka

Konkola Blades 1-0 Lusaka Dynamos

Kafue Eagles 0-0 BART

Indeni 0-0 Young Buffaloes

Aguila Stars 1-1 Mutondo Stars

Mpulungu Harbour 1-0 Livingstone Pirates

Kitwe United 0-1 Jumulo

ZESCO Malaiti 0-1 Kafue Celtic

Mufulira Wanderers 3-0 Trident

Kwacha and Kabushi by election challenged in court

Feature Politics

Chief Editor

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October 26, 2022

23

Kwacha and Kabushi by election challenged in court

The Constitutionality of the elections held in Kwacha and Kabushi Constituency has been challenged in the Constitutional Court.

The Institute of Law, Policy Research and Human Rights, Green Party President Peter Sinkamba and Governance Activist Isaac Mwanza have today petitioned the Constitutional Court to declare the election held on 21st October, 2022 in Kwacha and Kabushi as unconstitutional, illegal and null and void.

In a petition filed on Tuesday, the parties have said the Statutory Instrument signed by the three Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of Zambia that prescribed the date of election was unconstitutional and illegal.

The petitioners also argued that the decision to include candidates who had resigned on the ballot after the Constitutional Court had 20th October 2022 determined that the proceedings from which the High Court made an order stay election had lapsed contravened the Constitution and is illegal.

The petitioners have also asked the Constitutional Court to maintain its previous decision in which the Court stated that a resignation under the Constitution cannot be rescinded In the absence or a decision to rescind a resignation.

Mutati unveils ZICTA board, urges it to reduce ICT fees

General News

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October 26, 2022

6

Mutati unveils ZICTA board, urges it to reduce ICT fees

Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, has urged the new ZICTA board to make entry fees into Information Communication Technology (ICT) as low as possible in order to create employment and investments in the sector.

Mr. Mutati said high fees are a hindrance to investment in the ICT sector.

Speaking when he unveiled the seven-member ZICTA board in Lusaka today, the minister said ZICTA should therefore target to create resources from investment as opposed to fees for players trying to penetrate the sector.

Mr. Mutati said low fees will attract a significant amount of investment in the sector.

“Fees are a significant barrier to investment. Let us keep the fees of entry into the sector as low as is practically possible. Where we should make money is from the investment side, that is what is going to create the jobs, that is what is going to create the entrepreneurs that we need,” he said.

He also called on the board to treat ICT players as partners in development.

Mr. Mutati said as much as ZICTA is the regulator, the authority should cultivate a relationship of being a partner with stakeholders.

“We should treat players in the sector as partners in development and you shouldn’t take the posture that you are policemen policing the sector. You are not policing the sector, you are actually working with the sector to see how they can place more and more investment,” Mr. Mutati advised.

Mr. Mutati has meanwhile observed that the performance of the ICT sector needs to improve.

He has therefore challenged the new ZICTA board to ensure that the sector starts performing to regional standards.

“The ICT sector in Zambia has not been contributing significantly to the GDP of the country. At present, our contribution to GDP is only two percent and when you look at the regional level, it is always upward of seven percent. So our performance in terms of the ICT sector requires to be rebooted,” Mr. Mutati said.

And speaking at the same event, new ZICTA board chairperson, Mundia Muya, called on government to strengthen ICT regulation.

Professor Muya observed that ZICTA’s budgets are based on limited allocations approved by the National Assembly.

He said funding arrangements need to be addressed if the authority is to work effectively.

“The ZICTA budget falls far short of the funding requirements for the authority. Government may not have been clearly informed about this,” Prof. Muya said.

Prof. Muya will be deputised by Milner Makuni, who is the Vice Chairperson of the Board. Other members of the board are Dr. John Chintu, Maureen Mwanza, Edward Chiteta, Beatrice Mutandi and Bubala Chibota.

Two more members will be added to the board in the near future.

Mine unions want actualization of the improved conditions of service based minimum wage

Headlines

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October 26, 2022

3

Mine unions want actualization of the improved conditions of service based minimum wage

Mine unions have called for the actualization of the planned improved conditions of service for miners and sector-based minimum wage. The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) want proper salaries for miners to meet current economic trends.

NUMAW President Saul Simujika said the sector-based minimum wage must be actualized for workers to benefit from the initiative. Mr Simujika said the move by the government to introduce a sector-based minimum wage should be commended as sectors differ in the manner they operate.

He added that employers have been taking advantage of the situation of not having sector-based minimum wage by giving employees meagre wages. Mr Simujika emphasised that miners deserve good pay because their occupation is not easy.

“We know ourselves as miners very well. We know the kind of work that we do as miners and we know what we pass through. So we feel that putting us together with everyone else in terms of minimum wage was not sitting well with us and we know that some of the mining companies have taken advantage of the lack of minimum wage in the mining sector. Immediately they pay above the minimum wage they feel they have done justice. So we need to have a figure that is well reserved for the person who goes underground. You know that underground work is something else. It is not equal to these other jobs so the minimum in terms of lowest to be paid in the mining industry must actually be uplifted and uplifted very well,” Mr. Simujika said.

Meanwhile, MUZ President Josep Chewe has also advocated improved conditions of service for workers in the mining sector. Mr Chewe proposed that the least paid worker in the mining sector should be getting K5, 000.

“MUZ is currently interacting with various stakeholders in policy formulation to help us begin to represent workers in the artisanal small-scale mining sector. Secondly, wages in the mines have constantly lagged behind increases in the cost of living. Whereas the cost of living for Copperbelt is around K8000, the lowest-paid directly employed mineworker gets about K4000. We have a poor working class in the end. Workers have tried to compensate for their low wages by borrowing from banks. However, the abnormal interest rates charged by banks erode the workers’ net pay pushing them into a debt spiral.”

“When they are retrenched, banks get their retrenchment packages as loan repayment, sending the worker and his family into unemployment with nothing to live on. This is heartless. Government should intervene to protect workers against abnormal interests and retrenchment packages for the poor mineworkers. For the non-unionised workers, MUZ suggests that the government imposes K5000 as the minimum wage for the least qualified mineworkers because these workers operate under very dangerous conditions,” Mr. Chewe said.

Mr. Chewe said MUZ was assuring members of effective representation during the bargaining process.

“In the last four years collective bargaining has been given the utmost importance being the backbone of trade unionism. We ensured that all collective bargaining meetings were effectively undertaken and officials were assigned to each meeting. The demand for better wages and conditions of service is still high amongst our members owing to the fact that wages in the mining sector are low. Miners cannot meet their families daily needs without loans. However, MUZ faced challenges in securing increased wages due to declining profits amidst the covid-19 pandemic. Also, bargaining with subcontractors was extremely challenging due to the poor contracts they are offered. Nonetheless, MUZ still managed to secure some increases despite the rapid inflation which undermined the bargaining power of these wages,” Mr. Chewe said.

Kanengo assures Kabushi residents as he gets support from the Losing candidate

Feature Politics

Chief Editor

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October 26, 2022

4

Kanengo assures Kabushi residents as he gets support from the Losing candidate

Newly elected Kabushi Member of Parliament, Bernard Kanengo says the people of Kabushi should expect meaningful and timely development.

Mr. Kanengo said time has come for residents in the constituency to have their share of development being undertaken across the country.

Mr. Kanengo said Kabushi constituency is one of the areas that has lagged behind where development is concerned.

He said Kabushi residents have for decades been subjected to poverty, poor road network and poor water reticulation and sanitation.

Mr. Kanengo said he will ensure that the residents start benefiting from the empowerment programmes that government is rolling out countrywide.

“With the support of stakeholders I will make sure that the processes to access the Constituency Development Funds(CDF) is expedited so that we can empower the people of Kabushi whose funds have been in the accounts without being utilised for too long. We want to bring development in the constituency,” Mr. Kanengo said.

And Chifubu Member of Parliament, Lloyd Lubozha has called on Chifubu residents to continue forming cooperatives for them to access CDF.

Meanwhile, Losing candidate in last week’s controversial Kabushi Parliamentary by-election in Ndola on the Copperbelt Richard Kalasa has congratulated UPND’s Bernard Kanengo for winning the election.

And Mr. Kalasa said he will not petition the outcome of the Parliamentary by-election.

Mr. Kanengo was declared winner of Friday’s controversial Kabushi Parliamentary by-election after getting 6,556 votes against his closest rival Mr. Kalasa’s 4,607 votes.

Leadership Movement’s Osias Telela collected 226 votes and another Independent candidate Alfred Joseph Yombwe amassed 81 votes.

Out of the 49,908 registered voters in Kabushi Constituency, only 11,646 voted in the by-election.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Kalasa, a business executive and former Ndola Deputy Mayor, said he has accepted the outcome of the Kabushi Parliamentary by-election.

The former Kanini Ward Councilor and Patriotic Front (PF) official said normal life has continued because elections in Kabushi Constituency are over.

Mr. Kalasa thanked the people of Kabushi Constituency for supporting his candidature.

The veteran football administrator said he plans to contest future elections in Kabushi Constituency.

“The elections are now over. I am just thanking the people of Kabushi Constituency for casting their vote to support my candidature and I congratulate my colleague who won the elections Mr. Bernard Kanengo. I believe this is not the last time I think elections do come regularly. We are expecting another election that will come in 2026 in which I am expecting to participate. I have accepted the results. I am not going to petition the results. Being my first time to try and stand at parliamentary level I congratulate my colleague. I am saying next time I am going to win the election,” Mr. Kalasa said.

Mr. Kalasa added that developmental activities in Kabushi are on hold due to the lack of a Member of Parliament.

He saluted immediate past Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo for his efforts in the development of the area.

Mr. Kalasa said Mr. Lusambo facilitated road projects and construction of Masala Market among other developmental activities.

“There cannot be development in Kabushi without a member of Parliament. Development in Kabushi has come to a standstill because there is no Member of Parliament. Kabushi Constituency lagged behind when it comes to development. The Constituency was idle because there was no one to speak for the people of Kabushi Constituency. Bowman did a good job in Kabushi. Look at the new market at Masala; it is Bowman Lusambo who did that. Look at some road projects he started. Had he been in office Bowman would have concluded the road projects in Kabushi? We need to make Kabushi a community anyone can desire to live in,” Mr. Kalasa said.

The Kabushi Parliamentary seat fell vacant after the Ndola High Court nullified the election of Mr Lusambo on grounds of electoral malpractices.

Last July, the Constitutional Court upheld the decision of the Ndola High Court to nullify Mr. Lusambo’s election as Kabushi Constituency Member of Parliament.

In this matter, United Party for National Development (UPND) losing candidate Mr. Kanengo petitioned Mr Lusambo of the Patriotic Front (PF) citing malpractice before and during the August 12 General elections.

Lusaka High Court Judge Edward Musona sitting in Ndola nullified the seat stating wide spread violence noting that Mr Lusambo did not disassociate himself from his militia group known ‘the Nato Forces’, which was attacking the electorates.

The Legalities or Illegalities of KAbushi and Kwacha By Elections: What is the Truth

Columns

Chief Editor

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October 26, 2022

25

The Legalities or Illegalities of KAbushi and Kwacha By Elections: What is the Truth

By Mcdonald Chipenzi

The just-ended by-elections in KABUSHI AND KWACHA have attracted mixed reactions from mainly political and social comentators not contestants.
With others calling the by-elections as a *sham*, others, an *illegal* while others arguing that they were *exclusive*
The by-elections legally and constitutionally held under Art 57(1) triggered legal challenges in accordance to Art 57(4) but unfortunately, the end results of these legal battles was failure to stop the election process in Kabushi and Kwacha.

Legally, some of the principles of an electoral process include that *elections are free and fair and that election are free from violence, intimidation and corruption* (Art 45) while Electoral Process Act 3 (q) and (s) further talks impartial handling of election complaints and timely resolution of electoral disputes* among others.
By free election it denotes *freedom of the contesting parties and candidates to freely campaign, associate, express and assembles while a fair election means an election the rules of the game i.e the provisions of the code of conduct, electoral laws and constitution are respected*

It is agreed that the Kabushi and Kwacha by-elections were heavily contested legally which legal battle was aimed to timeous resolving electoral disputes.
Lawyers for ECZ, Attorney General’s Chambers and those for duly nominated and duly rejected candidates trotted from one courtroom to another in an effort to exercise their right to electoral justice.

However, apathy characterised the two by-elections, causes factors I will discuss in my next article.

Having visited and exhausted all legal options, the Kabushi and Kwacha parliamentary elections had to proceed legally and constitutionally.

The illegalities, in my view, were committed by the Court which uniterally declared its power to stop the time at which decision was unconstitutional and the decision to stay the by-elections beyond the 21 days meant for the Court’s judication on any nomination matter which was illegal and unconstitutional.

Coming to the stay by the High Court as rightly observed by the CONCOURT, it elapsed IMMEDIATELY the 21 days fell due as per specification under Art 52(1-5) which only awards 30 day maximum (Art 52(5) to complete the process of nomination from nomination challenge to the determination.

In this regard, the nomination happened on 25 August and aggrieved candidates were given 7 days to challenge the nominations which 7 days expired on 31 August and the nomination challenge by Joe Malanji and Bowman Lusambo was done on 30 August.

As per dictates of Art 52(4), the 21 days started ticking immediately the nomination challenge’s lodgement was filed in court on 30 August, 2022.

The 21st day after the nomination challenge lodgement was 21 September 2022. This date was way outside the date the ECZ announced the decision to set a new date which on 11 October.

This was 20 days after the collapse of the High Court stay on the by-elections due to want of time. This makes the decision of the ECZ not only legal but Constitutional correct and right as per guidance of Art 57(3).

However, on 12 and 13 September respectively, two independent candidates each from Kabushi and Kwacha respectively “resigned” from the election process triggering the possibility of ECZ calling for new nominations and the hold for fresh elections as per guidance under Art 52(6).

On the 9 Sept, Malanji and Lusambo filed a lawsuit in the High Court to stay the by-elections which was granted on the 13 Sept, 2022, three days later the independent candidate for Kabushi resigned i.e. 12 Sept and a day after the one for Kwacha [i.e 13 September] also “resigned” on the very day the High Court actually granted a stay on the two by-elections.

As can be seen in the chronological of events, the purported “resignations” of the independent duo happened after the lodgement of a lawsuit to stay the elections by Malanji and Bowman Lusambo tying the ECZ from canceling the election as a result of the “resignation” of the duo as there was no election to cancel at the time.
*On 6 Oct the two resignees rescinded their decision to “resign” while the High Court “stay” on the by-elections was seemingly not yet discharged though already expired on 21 September 2022 by the operation of law*

Consequently, because the High Court was stopped by the Court of Appeal to rule on the by-elections which would have lifted the stay, *the illegal stay remained but without force of law on time prescribed in the Constitution*

From the foregoing, *it is clear that the elections in Kabushi and Kwacha were NOT a sham nor were they illegal but legally and constitutionally constructed*
Instead the illegalities and unconstitutionalities were/are visibly seen in the various decisions of the various courts trotted to and these are the institutions that might have committed the illegalities in their various decisions due to seemingly failure to properly interpret the Constitution on time and also on appeal.

However, this was redeemed by the CONCOURT’s last ruling on 20 October, 2022 admitting that the *High Court Stay on the Kabushi and Kwacha parliamentary elections was annulled by time-lapse and that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have handled the appeal on elections instead of the CONCOURT and also that Court of Appeal was wrong to claim to fixate time specified in the Constitution and also to Stay the stay from the High Court*

To this end, *the truth is that the Kabushi and Kwacha parliamentary elections, despite the low voter turnout, were legally and constitutionally constructed, held and properly conducted by the ECZ and the electoral disputes were resolved within 90 days by the Courts enough time for the holding of the by-elections as specified under Art 57(1)*
Therefore, the truth is that the claims of illegalities, exclusiveness and shame are dismissed with the contempt they deserved.

The truth is that the newly elected duo were properly and duly elected and any question on their legitimacy can only be done by dragging the provisions of Art 73(1-4) of the Constitution and as per specification under Section 96 of the electoral process Act.
Court Rise

WEEKEND SCORECARD: Zesco Eye 4th Spot on Wednesday

Sports

sports

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October 25, 2022

0

Alfred Lupiya is eying his second successive league win on Wednesday heading into his third game as interim Zesco United coach when they host FC MUZA in a rescheduled Week 8 fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Last Saturday, Zesco beat Kansanshi Dynamos 3-1 at Levy to hand Lupiya his first win after beginning his caretaker tenure exactly a week ago with a 2-1 away loss at Napsa Stars at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Lupiya is in charge following the dismissal of Mumamba Numba after two years at the helm following Zesco’s first round exit from the CAF Confederation Cup on October 15.

“My focus is to make sure that the team goes to where it belongs. The MUZA game will not be easy. They have a very good young side with one or two players at U-20. I have hinted to my players to take this game seriously. We need maximum points,” Lupiya told Zesco United Media.

Wednesday’s game is key for both Zesco and MUZA.

A win for 8th placed MUZA will see the promoted club projected to rise from 8th to 4th and join third placed Prison Leopards on 17 points who have a healthy goal difference.

Victory for Zesco too will see them move to number four from 9th where they currently sit on 12 points.

Three points against MUZA will see Zesco displace Napsa Stars from that position where the latter sits on 15 points.

But Zesco will be without Kenya striker Vincent Oburu who scored his second goal against Napsa and Kansanshi before pulling in a muscle in the latter match.

WEEKEND SCORECARD

2022/2023 FAZ SUPER LEAGUE
WEEK 7
19/10/2020
Napsa Stars 2(Augustine Mukenga 3″, Musonda Kapembwa 59″pen-Zesco United 19 (Vincent Oburu 19″)

WEEK 9
22/10/2022
FC MUZA 1(Mandra Muyela 15’pen)-Forest Rangers 0

Zesco United 3(Kezroni Kizito 21, John Chingandu 24′, Vincent Oburu 45′)-Kansanshi Dynamos 1(Marvin Jere 5′)

Power Dynamos 4(Kennedy Musonda 5′, Brian Mwila 17 22′, Emmanuel Kanda 86′)-Buildcon 0

Nkwazi 2(Justin Shonga 44′, christopher Zulu 63′)-Chambishi 0

Green Eagles 2(Ernest Mbewe 47′ 49′)-Zanaco 1(John Sikaumbwa 4′)

Lumwana Radiants 0-Green Buffaloes 1(Nicholas Mulilo 17′)

Napsa Stars 1(Enock Sakumukama 69′)-Kabwe Warriors

Red Arrows 3(Conlyde Luchanga 13′, Joseph Phiri 17′ 50′ pen)-Nchanga Rangers 1(Christian Saile 70’pen)

23/10/2022
Prison Leopards 0-Nkana 0

TOP SCORERS 2022/2023

=LEAGUE
23/10/2022
Lubinda Mundia(Prison Leopards):5
Kennedy Musonda (Power Dynamos):5

Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows):4
George Ngoma (Green Buffaloes):4
Amity Shamende(Green Eagles):4
Andrew Phiri (FC MUZA):4

Justin Shonga (Nkwazi):3
Christopher Zulu (Nkwazi):3
Landu Meite (Prison Leopards):3
Hosea Silwimba (Green Eagles):3
Benjamin Mukanda (Lumwana):3
Saddam Yusuf(Red Arrows):3
Abraham Siankombo (Zanaco):3
Alex Ngonga (Nkana):3

Vincent Oburu (Zesco):2
Kizito Keziron (Zesco):2
Conlyde Luchanga (Red Arrows):2
Ernest Mbewe (Green Eagles):2
Brian Mwila (Power Dynamos):2
Musonda Kapembwa (Napsa):2
Chabala Kasanda (Chambishi):2
Andy Boyeli (Chambishi):2
Innocent Kashita (Chambishi):2
Pedro Miguel (Nchanga Rangers):2
James Chamanga (Red Arrows):2
John Kosamu (Green Buffaloes):2
Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars):2
Austin Banda (Napsa Stars):2
Gerald Chisha (Kansanshi Dynamos):2
Moyela Libanda(Forest):2
Logic Chingandu (Nchanga Rangers):2

Enock Sabumukama (Napsa Stars):1
Christian Saile (Nchanga Rangers):1
Nichola Mulilo (Green Buffaloes):1
John Sikaumbwa (Zanaco):1
Mandra Muyela (FC MUZA):1
John Chingandu (Zesco ):1
Emmanuel Kanda(Power Dynamos):1
Augustin Mulenga (Napsa Stars):1
Jimmy Ndhlovu (Kabwe Warriors):1
Godfrey Ngwenya (Power Dynamos):1
Akakulubelwa Mwachiaba (Kabwe Warriors):1
Clifford Mulenga (Forest Rangers):1
Thabani Kamusoko (Nkana):1
Boyd Musonda (Zanaco):1
Henry Besa (Nkwazi):1
George Ndhlovu (Nkwazi):1
Mweene Mumbi (Green Buffaloes)
Paul Katema (Red Arrows):1
Thomas Zulu (Red Arrows):1
Gerald Simusokwe (Forest Rangers:1
Wilmore Haatembo (Prison Leopards):1
Richard Zulu (Lumwana ):1
Malan Gondwe (Chambishi):1
Lionel Ngonga (Buildcon):1
Geoerge Chaloba (Red Arrows):1
David Obashi (Prison Leopards):1
Marvin Jere (Kansanshi):1
Elias Kazangarare (Nkwazi):1
Ronald Chibwe (Nchanga Rangers):1
Tesor Mbangi(Nkana):1
Faustin Bakodila (Power Dynamos):1
Ocean Mushure (Kabwe Warriors):1
Wezzy Kumwenda (Nkwazi):1
Francis Zulu (Prison Leopards):1
Timonthy Sakala (Buildcon):1
Enock Sakala Jr(zesco United):1
Collins Sikombe (Zesco United):1
Andrew Kwiliko (Lumwana Radiants)1
Thomas Banda (Nchanga):1
Placide Weta (Buildcon):1
Diamond Chikwekwe (Nkana):1
Ackim Mumba (Zanaco):1
Sydney Kasanda (FC MUZA):1
Kondwani Mhango (FC MUZA):1
Rickson Ngambi(FC MUZA):1
Kelvin Chomba (Chambishi):1
Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors):1
Davis Bwalya (Buildcon):1
Tshite Mweshi (Zanaco):1
Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes):1
Chitoshi Chinga (Forest Rangers):1
Kilo Mwepu (Power Dynamos):1
Patrick Gondwe (Nkana):1
Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes):1
Abraham Kanyanga (Lumwana):1
Kapambwe Musonda (Lumwana):1
Damiano Kola (Prison Leopards):1
Alfred Leku (Zesco United):1
Jacob Kaunda (Power Dynamos):1
OWN GOALS
David Adoko (Napsa):1

BRE calls on government to legalize the suspended Ivory Bangles

Economy

Chief Editor

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October 25, 2022

9

BRE calls on government to legalize the suspended Ivory Bangles

The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has called on government to suspend the new regulation to illegalise the possession of ivory bangles.

At a press briefing at the Kuta in Limulunga today, BRE Prime Minister, Ngambela Mukela Manyando, said the new regulation does not augur well with the Lozi culture and traditions.

In a statement read on his behalf by Acting Ngambela, Mowa Zambwe, the Ngambela Manyando charged that arresting or demanding licenses is grossly unfair and against tradition and customs.

The Ngambela said from time immemorial the people of Barotseland have always worn ivory bangles which has become a vital part of their Identity and Lozi cultural attire.

He noted that bangles were just like the wearing of animal skins and other cultural practices are different to people in other parts of the country.

“All ethnic groups in Zambia have their peculiar customs and traditions that identify them from each other and the Lozi people are not an exception,” he said.

During the just ended Western Province expo for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) stated that after the given grace period, anyone possessing an ivory bangle will be required to have a license or will be liable for five years imprisonment.

On the other hand, the Ngambela Manyando advised government to put in place laws and regulations that preserve traditional practices for posterity.

He added that the people of Barotseland are conservationists by nature, thus the creation of Liuwa Plains National park.

“They are therefore not interested in the wanton slaughter of wildlife and trafficking of ivory bangles. In fact, the elephant itself is a highly respected and recognised symbol of our royalty and kingship,” he said.

The Ngambela further called on government to engage the BRE to resolve the issue because it is a matter of urgency.

Albinism Foundation of Zambia urges Government to work with Albinism Organisation to raise awareness on albinism

General News

Chief Editor

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October 25, 2022

0

Albinism Foundation of Zambia urges Government to work with Albinism Organisation to raise awareness on albinism

The Albinism Foundation of Zambia Coordinator Baidon Chaponda has called on the Government to work in close collaboration with existing organisations that advocate for the welfare of persons with albinism in order to promote and raise more awareness on albinism.

Mr Chaponda noted with concern on how persons living with albinism have been facing so many challenges which needs the Government’s intervention therefore, the Government needs to take steps that will promote awareness on albinism in the country, adding that there are albinism organisations that are doing different types of activism work by acting as a mouthpiece for all persons with albinism in Zambia, and each organisation has there own area of concern for example the Albinism Foundation of Zambia there main area is to advocate and raise awareness by giving people comprehensive information on what albinism is.

“When we talk about the engagement of the Government with these existing organisations, when the Government comes in, they will be able to work at the same pace with these organisations who are experts in this area and will be able to advise the government well on how they are supposed to conduct awareness programmes on albinism and how the Government is supposed to conduct themselves when it comes to dealing with issues of albinism,” he said

He cited that the sensitization programmes will also be extended to schools because they have cases where persons with albinism are being bullied in schools and are not being given the attention that they deserve.

Mr Chaponda has commended the Government together with the existing organisations not only for albinism but also other disability organisations who are enforcing the issue of inclusive education, because persons with albinism a long time ago used to be taken to schools for vision impaired pupils, which was not supposed to be the case.

“That’s the reason why this time around we have the issue of inclusive education which is a situation where people with different types of disabilities and people without any disability are able to learn in the same class without any discrimination, and segregation, so the issue of school is also an important issue,” he said

Mr Chaponda mentioned that whatever their organisation is doing, they will endeavor to consult from organisations in countries such as Tanzania who have taken a step further and made tremendous progress in raising awareness on albinism.

“Since early this year we have been having virtual meetings with other countries who have made progress when it comes to albinism issues, we are more like trying to consult on how they have managed to deal with issues of attacks on persons with albinism in their countries, and they were able to give comprehensive advice to the albinism organisations here in Zambia,” Mr Chaponda said

Meanwhile, Disability Rights Watch Director Wamundila Waliuya stated that if the Government has to take steps, they have to go back to look at the cause and take a lot of awareness raising on what albinism actually is in terms of the scientific explanation and that there’s nothing spiritual, ritual about the skin, hair or any body parts of a person with albinism, it should first be understood from there.

Mr Waliuya explained that in order to develop a strategy there’s need to develop a cause, for instance what is the cause of these ritual killings, mutilations and all that, it’s a historical issue where in Africa every person was black and then suddenly one gives birth to a person who is white and originally there was no explanation on how a black person would give birth to a person who appears white or of different in colour therefore, it became like a curse, a non-understandable issue, an issue of spiritualism, and the issue of it came from God.

“When you study the history of categories of different person with disabilities, albinism and other categories of disabilities were thrown and that’s where the history of the evil forest came from because in that time, they were no elderly person with albinism and that’s where the belief came from that persons with albinism do not die instead, they just disappear, when they were thrown away as children they were carried by spirits,” he said

He added that because of the spiritual belief that persons with albinism carry certain powers and were created by God therefore their body parts can be used for ritual practices, this has been happening for a long time but it came to surface when some of the countries in Southern Africa started identifying and discovering that persons with albinism are used for ritual practices.

“It’s unfortunate that when we were doing some follow ups on some of the arrests which were made in Malawi, Tanzania and in the Eastern Province of Zambia, it was discovered that traditional healers, politicians, business men and families are all involved in these ritual killings of persons living with albinism on the belief that they will acquire wealth, win elections and many other beliefs,” Mr Waliuya mentioned

The duo highlighted this when they made an appearance on Tuesday’s edition of the Hot Seat Programme on HOT FM.

Government is tackling corruption effectively, Sylvia Masebo bot involved in Corruption – Kawana

Headlines

Chief Editor

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October 25, 2022

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Government is tackling corruption effectively, Sylvia Masebo bot involved in Corruption – Kawana

Ministry of Information and Media, Director Spokesperson, Thabo Kawana, says the government has continued working effectively in the fight against corruption. Mr. Kawana said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is working freely without any instructions from higher political offices.

He said the only government has done was to make sure that the commission is adequately funded in order for it to operate independently. In an interview with journalists in Chilanga today, Mr Kawana added that the fight against corruption is not targeted at any individual but at the vice.

“Therefore, those that find themselves entangled with corruption will be brought before the law,” he stated.

Mr Kawana refuted rumours alleging that Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, has involved herself in corruption.

LAst week Ms also dismissed allegations of bribe saying that a TFM letter that has made rounds on social media implicating her office in alleged attempted bribery is not true.

Reacting to a question by Diamond Media Ms Masebo who could not comment further said that she will at an appropriate time issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.

On Monday last week , Social Media was awash with a letter dated May 15, 2022 bearing details of a reply by a South African-based company called TFM alleging the Minister’s representatives approached the firm to facilitate fees and a motor vehicle for her.

It’s alleged the matter is in connection with the Tender for the proposed construction and equipping of seven by 150-bed capacity infectious diseases isolation hospitals in Zambia.

A South African company, TFM Holdings (pty) Ltd revealed that a Cabinet Minister had been soliciting for a bribe before it could get favourable consideration.

TFM Industries (pty) Ltd chairman Mcebisi Nlozi revealed that the named Minister had been soliciting bribes from the company in form of facilitation fees and a luxury motor vehicle after it had been awarded a US$100 million contract to construct pre-fabricated hospitals in Southern, Western and North-Western Provinces.

In a letter to a local business executive dated 15th May 2022, Mr Nlozi claimed his company had been approached by representatives of the said Minister to arrange facilitation fees and a vehicle for the government official.

He had instead requested a local business executive to place the soliciting of the facilitations fees and a motor vehicle for the named Minister on record in Zambia.

“We write to you to place on record that we have been approached by representatives of the Minister of Health to arrange facilitation fees and a vehicle for her. We are, for obvious reasons very uncomfortable with this and wish to ask you to place this on record in Zambia, the letter reads.

Mutati unveils ZICTA board, urges it to reduce ICT fees

Economy

Support Editor

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October 25, 2022

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Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, has urged the new ZICTA board to make entry fees into Information Communication Technology (ICT) as low as possible to create employment and investments in the sector.