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Government has urged business houses in the country to plough back to the community they operate in.
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Daniel Bowasi says by ploughing back to community, business houses will help improve and uplift the living standards in communities they operate in.
The Permanent Secretary said this during the commissioning of painting of police houses at Chilenje Police Camp through the “Dulux Lets Colour Project “in Lusaka yesterday.
He said government is ready to partner with various business houses in ensuring that surroundings were kept clean and tidy such as painting of institutional houses.
He furthermore commended Dulux Limited Zambia for supplementing government’s efforts to maintain the Keep Zambia Clean Campaign through painting of the police houses in Chilenje.
He has since urged police officers occupying the painted houses to take good care of them by treating the institutional houses as their own.
And Dulux Limited Zambia, Sales and Marketing Manager, Ghady Thole said their colour project was a world wide initiative of uplifting the living standards of people through painting of houses, hospitals and other institutions to render them a clean environment.
Mr. Thole said they targeted to paint all the houses in Chilenje police camp and the police offices because they were all not in good shape.
He said once they were done with the Chilenje Police Camp painting they will move to the Copperbelt where they will identify other institutions to work on.
President Rupiah Banda has described Patriotic Front ( PF ) leader Michael Sata as a hateful, vindictive and an ungrateful person since his youth.
And Banda has further described media reports suggesting that the MMD has lost popularity in Western Province, as false. He added that are being perpetrated by some hostile private media with a hidden agenda.
” Mr. Sata seems to take pleasure in dividing the Zambian people even on trivial matters that does not add value to their well being,” President Banda said.
The President was speaking to Journalists at Lusaka’ City Airport on route to Eastern Province where he had gone to attend the burial of Aliness, former Bank of Zambia Governor, Dr Jacob Mwanza’s elder sister.
He was reaction to media reports quoting Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata suggesting that he will hunt down President Banda and second republican president Dr Frederick Chiluba, if voted in office.
The PF leader is reported in The Post Newspapers edition , yesterday, to have said once in power the PF government would promptly and firmly deal with plunderers.
Mr. Sata said the levels of corruption in the current administration were alarming and embarrassing and the PF government will speedily deal with ( President ) Rupiah Banda regime’s corruption.
The President said Dr Chiluba and others fought for the re-introduction of democracy in the country and did his part in national development in his term as president of Zambia.
Mr. Banda explained that Dr Chiluba’s government among many other developmental programmes, successfully implemented policies that included the liberalisation of the airwaves as evident by the number of privately owned Television and Radio stations across the country.
The President said it was Mr. Sata who actually victimized former president Kaunda despite Dr Chiluba being civil towards his predecessor Mr Banda also wondered why Dr. Kaunda’s son Col Panji Kaunda is in the front of campaigning for Mr. Sata.
He urged the church, particularly where Mr. Sata congregates to say if they approve of his divisive traits as he claims to be a staunch Christian.
President Banda stressed that Zambians are not interested in government persecuting former leaders on trivial matters.
And Mr. Banda said the purported lose of popularity of the MMD in Western Province is untrue as it is being projected in some quarters of the media.
He said Vice President George Kunda was recently in the Province to check on developmental programmes that his government is implementing and the number of people that welcomed him is testimony of the party’s popularity,.
Mr. Banda said government will continue developing the province and other parts of the country to ensure that Zambians live better lives.
Meanwhile, The President has described the death of Aliness Mwanza as a loss to the family as she aws a uniting factor of the family.
He said the late Aliness was closer to his family even before President Mwanawasa appointed him in his government.
The President was accompanied by First lady Thandiwe Banda and was seen off by Vice President George Kunda, Defense Minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President, Davis Sampa and MMD National Secretary, Major Richard Kachingwe.
Nakambala Leopards continued on their sweet run in the Faz Super Division after beating hosts Green Buffaloes in their Week 8 away game at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
A 45th minute goal from Mundia Lubinda sealed team from Zambia’s Sugar capital Mazabuka.
Nakambala opened up a four-point lead on 19 points after eight matches and are unbeaten in their last three league games.
Red Arrows stay second after a 1-1 home draw with Power Dynamos.
Nchanga Rangers leaped into third place after a 1-0 away win at promoted Lime Hotspurs.
Limes defeat handed coach John “Butcher” Mwanza a bad start in his first game in charge after the Ndola side fired Tenant Chembo in midweek following a slow start to the season.
Meanwhile at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe, Nkana were lucky to get away with point after they were awarded a controversial penalty for an invisible handball.
Nkana took the lead in the 34th minute from the spot through Lameck Mwale but poetic justice was meted out almost immediately when Nkwazi equalized through Christopher Mulenga.
MTN/FAZ SUPER DIVISION
Week 8
14/05/2011
Green Eagles 0-Forest Rangers 1
Roan United 1-Zesco United 2
Konkola Blades 0-Kabwe Warriors 1
Lime Hotspurs 0- Nchanga Rangers 1
Kalewa 1-Zanaco 1
Green Buffaloes 0-Nakambala Leopards 1
Nkana 1-Nkwazi 1
Red Arrows 1- Power Dynamos 1
File:Patrotic Front cadres show solidarity to their leader by sleeping on the main road outside the drug Enforcement Commission offices
By Daimone Siulapwa
A few days ago, someone posted a link to a story which was published a few years ago by one leading private newspaper in which it really tore Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to pieces accusing him of being unfit to run for the office of President, and how that he is capable of doing anything to get to State House.
However, one or two persons were not impressed with the posting, arguing that why focus on the past. Rather, what the two wanted discussed are new issues, and most importantly for them, the past does not matter. All they are interested in is change.
Change really!
How that word has come to be loved in Zambia since 1991. In fact, the word change this year has been used (abused) much the same way it was in 1991 during the transition from one party to multi-party State. In fact, a few people are likening this year’s elections to the ones that happened in 1991.
If that be the case, then does it not make sense that the mistakes of 1991 are not repeated this time around. Or unless Zambians are such gullible that they do not learn from their mistakes. The mistakes of 1991 are well documented, but just for the record, we the people of Zambia kicked out Dr Kenneth Kaunda and his United National Independence Party (UNIP) believing that we were being led to a land of milk and honey. But as subsequent events proved, this land was more or less similar to the one in hell or a land forsaken by God.
Question is, are the majority of Zambians prepared to go back to go that path again? Let us hope not. And if that is our hope, then the first thing we should do is to ensure that leaders are made to account for their actions, whether they committed them in the past or the present.
Any leader who has presided over the affairs of this country should account for his actions, this is irrespective of any political party, be it the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), PF, UNIP, Liberal Progressive Party (ULP) and the United National Independence Party (UPND).
In any case, if we as individuals are made to account for our actions, be it at home or work, why should the same not be the case with politicians, who for most times, are the biggest liars. Like all elections, this year’s is about making choices as to which direction we want our country to go. In fact, it is about making choices for our children. What kind of a future are we bequeathing to our children, one without proper roads, hospitals, schools and employment? The choices are indeed ours to make.
Rightly so, the talk in this year’s elections should not only be about issues surrounding not only incumbents but those hoping to take their place, especially those that have been there before such as Michael Sata, Mbita Chitala, George Mpombo and Mike Mulongoti.
When an individual takes the initiative to run for public office, they must understand that they will be held accountable for their actions, whether they happened 10 or 20 years ago. Understandably, this has not been the case for Zambia in the past, the more reason why huge mistakes have been made. Had we taken time to scrutinize those that were running office in the 1991 elections, it is highly unlikely that the country would have found itself in a scenario such as that which was obtaining in 2001.
That is why those of us who were hurt with the happenings of public office between 1991 and 2001 should ensure that history does not repeat itself. We know what kind of promises were made to us, and how they lamentably failed to keep them without any shame whatsoever. KK had warned us about the people we were electing into office, but we ignored him to a point of insulting him by calling him all sorts of names. If he was not a Christian and Statesman that he is, he would today be laughing at us. But he is above such petty matters, and he can only wish us the best. And the best we can do is to not ignore his advice this time around. He has in the past warned us about certain leaders. And as such, let us not talk about change for the sake of it.
Should the PF be elected into office, will that be considered change? Is that the change that we can proudly talk about?
For some people, it hurts, but these are harsh facts that one has to live with.
Michael Sata, the PF leader was one of former President Dr Frederick Chiluba’s close confidante’s for close to 10 years and only fell out of favour when he was ignored as a presidential candidate for the MMD in 2001 in preference for Levy Mwanawasa.
And for the record, Mwanawasa resigned as republican president because Dr Chiluba was allegedly over-protecting the likes of Sata from prosecution for alleged corrupt practices.
The point simply is this, if the first 10 years under the MMD rule were so destructive, then Michael Chilufya Sata is part and parcel of that. He is the ink with which that 10 year history will be written. He served in very senior and influential positions including that of Minister of Local Government and Housing, Labour and Social Security, Health and Without Portfolio, effectively making him number three in the country.
Some people like calling him man of action, who performed exceptionally well in the positions that he served. Indeed man of action!
Where was he when council houses were being sold for peanuts thereby effectively killing our local government system? Where was he when our mines were being sold to Anglo-American and Binani only for these mines to either close or be put on liquidation?
Where was he when our health system was getting destroyed with the so-called health reforms that only succeeded in ushering a culture of transferring patients (politicians) to Morningside Hospital in South Africa? Where was he when the co-operative movement was being destroyed thereby effectively killing our peasant farmers who are responsible for feeding this nation? Where was he when this discriminatory Constitution was being enacted? Where was he when a law was being introduced in Parliament by then Minister of Legal Affairs Roger Chongwe to deny former UNIP leaders like Grey Zulu their dues thereby effectively rendering them destitute? Where was he when the Presidential Slush Fund was being introduced?
If indeed you want to pretend ignorant, assistance will be duly rendered. Michael Chilufya Sata was a Cabinet Minister, a senor one for that matter.
So, returning such a man to government with all his other weaknesses is what is called Change?
God help this poor country!
Broken promises made by politicians have become an expected outcome after they are elected. This must change.
Accountability is a term which some politicians like using but hardly want practiced on them. That said, we shall make them account for their actions, whether those in the past, present or future in this year’s elections.
Zesco's Billy Mwanza shows a wound he sustained after he was torched by Al Ahly supporters in Egypt
Caf says Al Ahly will play one game behind closed doors following fireworks and fire flare scenes during their Caf Champions League game last weekend in Cairo that left one Zesco United player injured.
The Caf disciplinary board made the ruling on Friday when it met in Cairo.
Zesco defender Billy Mwanza suffered a hand injury in the second half of the match played on May 8 at Cairo International Stadium.
Mwanza needed five stitches on his arm after he was rushed to hospital just after he was hit by a flare thrown from the stands 10 minutes into the second half of the game.
The defender will miss Zesco’s league game against Roan United away at Kafubu Stadium this afternoon while he recovers from the injury.
CAF has also handed Al Ahly a US$ 40,000 fine on top of playing their first home game in the Champions League group stage that kicks off in July behind closed doors in Cairo.
Al Ahly went on to win the game 1-0 and advanced to the group stage on the same goal aggregate while Zesco have been relegated to the Caf Confederation Cup third round that commences in a fortnights time.
INSPECTOR General of Police Francis Kabonde has directed all provincial commanding officers to immediately disband all traffic roadblocks, describing them as a nuisance.
Mr Kabonde said the commanding officers should always be alert and ensure that the travelling public were not inconvenienced unnecessarily, saying most of the roadblocks were not beneficial to anyone.
Reacting to complaints from the public who complained of increasing number of roadblocks from Kapiri Mposhi to Lusaka, Mr Kabonde said the directive to discontinue such operations was with immediate effect.
Mr Kabonde said the commanding officers should ensure that the directive was implemented without fail, and cautioned officers who would deliberately attempt to set up a roadblock of disciplinary action.
“I want to confirm that I have with immediate effect disbanded roadblocks throughout the country because most of them are not beneficial to the service and the public as a whole and are not serving the intended purpose,” he said.
He said only checkpoints would be allowed at strategic points, adding that discontinuing of the roadblock did not mean that officers would go to sleep and that maintaining peace and order would continue.
He, however, appealed to the public to take an interest in differentiating between police officers from the Police Service and those from the Road Safety and Transport Agency (RSTA) whose line of operations was different.
He said his command was interested in ensuring that members of the public were not inconvenienced in the course of police duty while safeguarding property and maintaining peace.
At the weekend, some motorists complained over what they termed continued harassment by police officers manning roadblocks.
The motorists told the Times in Kabwe it was saddening that the public had continued to suffer at the hands of police officers in six or seven roadblocks mounted between Lusaka and Kapiri Mposhi.
The motorists claimed that as a result of the roadblocks, there had been loss of business due the inevitable delays.
Stand up for Zambia producer Chanda Chimba (III) captured when collecting footage for his series that has launched scanthing attacks in PF leader Michael Sata
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has sued the publisher of Stand Up for Zambia (SUFZ) News, Chanda Chimba III for allegedly publishing defamatory articles about him, including his sickness.
Mr Sata claimed he had been seriously injured in his character, credit and reputation and was demanding damages and an injunction restraining Mr Chimba and his servant or agents from distributing, circulating or selling the said tabloid until determination of the matter.
He said Mr Chimba’s publication alleged that his sicknesses had led to fears that he might not lead the country longer due to his serious medical condition.
In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court yesterday, Mr Sata said the defamatory articles were under the headlines “Sata is a sick man”, “Close encounter with the Cobra” and “King Cobra spearheads homosexual campaigns”.
Mr Sata indicated that the first article stated that he was diagnosed with four threatening diseases in September 2009 after undergoing 22 different medical tests at a named clinic in Lusaka.
He said a tube was inserted to pump out some fluid around the heart as a consequence of his heavy smoking and that there were fears that even if he was elected as president, he would not lead the country for a long time because of the serious medical condition.
Mr Sata said the second article stated that he would make a dangerous leader should Zambians make a mistake of voting him into office because he was exceedingly tribal and a reckless dictator.
“That Mr Sata lacked any qualification to be head of State and his understanding of issues was limited to attacks, insults and lies,” he said.
Mr Sata said the third article indicated that his desperation for power had turned him into a pro-gay activist.
“Sata is desperate because the Orange Party in Taiwan which bankrolled his last three attempts at the presidency is out of power and is demanding back the money that they spent on him and the land and other things that he had promised.
“Following the loss of power of the Orange Party in Taiwan, Mr Sata has now turned to gay activists and countries that support homosexuality to fund his campaign so that in return he would enhance gay rights in Zambia.
”The PF leader said the article also indicated that he had promised to remove from the Statutes the sodomy and bestiality laws as contained in Chapter 87 section 155 of the Penal Code so that gay rights would be guaranteed and enshrined in Zambia.
Mr Sata said the articles in their natural and ordinary meaning were understood to mean that his health had considerably deteriorated, and that the Zambian electorate should not vote for the plaintiff in the forthcoming presidential election as he was unlikely to conclude his term of office due to poor health.
Luangeni Member of Parliament (MP) Angela Cifire says Chiefs play a key role in the development process of the country and has dismissed claims that government only works with traditional rulers during election time.
Ms. Cifire who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister says it was pleasing that Chiefs in her constituency have continued to work closely with government to ensure that the much needed development is attained.
She told ZANIS in an interview in Luangeni that government appreciates the role traditional leaders have continued to play in ensuring that projects meant to better the lives of their subjects are implemented.
Ms. Cifire noted that Chiefdoms were cardinal in the effective implementation of government developmental projects because of the manner in which they were organized.
She said government and Chiefs have for a long time been partners in the development of the country a thing one cannot take away.
Meanwhile, Chief Maguya of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has called upon government to continue taking development to rural areas across the country.
Chief Maguya said people in rural areas need development because they were the most vulnerable and called on those that have received development from government to show appreciation.
The United Party for National development (UPND) has charged that President Rupiah Banda’s regime has lost credibility in the eyes of Zambians and that no amount of damage control will change that perception.
Commenting on the formation of the MMD taskforce in Lusaka province aimed at winning support for President Banda ahead of the forthcoming tripartite elections, UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma described the idea of the taskforce as an exercise in futility.
Mr. Kakoma told Qfm that the formation of the MMD task force will not change the people’s perception of the MMD.
He says people are tired of the inefficiency of the MMD government and that nothing will stop Zambians from effecting the change of regime in this year’s elections.
And Mr. Kakoma has accused the MMD of using people purporting to be former high ranking UPND members in order to win support.
He says such political gimmicks will not work as the UPND is getting stronger every time the MMD announce fake defections.
[ QFM ]
The late Mufulira Wanderers coach and ex Zambia defender Harrison “Wawa” Chongo’s burial will take place on Monday.
Wanderers officials revealed today that Wawa will be put to rest in Mufulira at Chibolya Cemetery.
Chongo died on Thursday afternoon at Ronald Ross Hospital in Mufulira after suffering from High Blood Pressure on Wednesday.
Wawa was rushed to Ronald Ross during halftime of Wanderers Division 1 North Week 9 game against Prison Leopards at Shinde Stadium.
Wanderers went on to win the game 1-0 and move into second place and remain unbeaten this season after eight matches played.
Wawa, 41, leaves behind a wife and six children.
MTN/FAZ SUPER DIVISION
Week 8
14/05/2011
Green Eagles-Forest Rangers
Roan United-Zesco United
Konkola Blades-Kabwe Warriors
Lime Hotspurs- Nchanga Rangers
Kalewa-Zanaco
Green Buffaloes-Nakambala Leopards
Nkana-Nkwazi
Red Arrows- Power Dynamos
Zambia has raised the price of electricity for mining companies by 30 percent.
ZESCO and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) have announced today in a move that will spike costs for the key sector in Africa’s leading copper producer.
CCEC and state-owned Zesco Ltd. said in a joint statement that the price hike would be backdated to take effect from January 2011.
The statement said the higher cost would provide the funding necessary to build new plants and invest in distribution infrastructure.
Frederick Bantubonse, the general manager of the Chamber of Mines of Zambia, an industry body which represents foreign mining companies said the higher cost of electricity would affect profitability.
Bantubonse said electricity is an important input for mining and any cost increase affects operations and profitability.
Neil Croucher, the managing director for operations at CEC told Reuters last month that the price increase would affect London-listed Vedanta Resources, Glencore International AG of Switzerland, Metorex of South Africa and Brazil’s Vale.
First Quantum has a separate agreement with Zesco and already pays more for power than the other miners.
Mining companies have been enjoying high copper prices on the international market with prices of the red metal hovering around US$9,000 since last year.
About 51 percent of the country’s population reflects a strong result of women that would want to vote in the coming general elections.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Kanni Wignaraja says this is critical because no country moves forward without the voice and active participation of women.
Ms. Wignaraja described the role women play as that of the transformational factor adding that their empowerment is the most powerful indication for any country’s development.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Wignaraja was speaking in Lusaka today during the Lusaka Women Peace Building Forum hosted by Northmead Assembly of God Church.
The forum was the second to be hosted by Northmead Assembly of God Church in partnership with Patriots Worldwide.
Meanwhile, Ms Wignaraja has urged Zambian citizens to focus their concentration on achieving the Millennium Development Goals and maintaining peace and tolerance as opposed to issues that have no impact on national development.
And Assembly of God Senior Pastor and Overseer Bishop Joshua Banda urged the Zambian women not to engage in indecent political acts of any nature but to exercise their statistical strengths to determine who gets into power as President, National Assembly and Local Councils.
PRESIDENT Banda has trashed allegations that he was involved in the US$98 million deal between Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) and National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) for the rehabilitation and upgrading of Society House.
Mr Banda told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that he had nothing to do with the deal.
He said as head of State, he is briefed before parastatals embark on such big projects but he has no role to play in tender processes because Zambia has procedures on public procurement.
“I don’t do things that way. In this country we have procedures but of course people say a lot of things.
And when I look at a project and approve it, the rest is up to the technocrats,” Mr Banda said.
He said this at Lusaka International Airport on arrival from Turkey where he had gone to attend the United Nations conference on least developed countries (LDCs).
Mr Banda said as head of State, he neither participates in nor interferes with tender procedures.
“I don’t participate in tender procedures. It is illegal for anyone to interfere with tender procedures just as it is illegal to interfere with the judiciary and Parliament. It is not right. You know this is life and somebody has to be accused,” he said.
Mr Banda said he saw the initial story carried by The Post and response from both ZNBS and NAPSA. He said what the two parastatals have said on the matter is the correct position.
Early this week, The Post alleged that the President was involved in awarding a US$ 98 million tender for the rehabilitation of society house to a Kenyan firm without following tender procedures.
But ZNBS and NAPSA dismissed the allegation and produced a copy of the advertisement for the tender.
The advertisement, issued by the Zambia Public Procurement Authority in the Zambia Daily Mail edition dated August 11, 2010, called for tender applications from interested parties.
Mazabuka District heath director Siyumbwa Kunda has said the recently-launched mobile hospitals in the province would enhance health care delivery and would benefit about 50,000 people in the district.
And Dr Siyumbwa has said the upgrading of Mazabuka District Hospital to a general hospital would start soon.
Dr Siyumbwa said in Mazabuka yesterday that the mobile hospitals would enhance health care delivery for the people in the district, especially in the outlying areas.
“The total population of Mazabuka is about 288,000 and it is estimated that about 50,000 people will benefit from the services of the mobile hospitals in the district.
“Because of the mobile hospitals, we shall also provide specialist treatment to people in the outlying areas of the district,” she said.
She said the mobile hospitals would enhance health care service delivery in the district and more so in areas where there were no health centres.
Dr Siyumbwa also said the upgrading of the district hospital into a general hospital would start soon.
She said the Government had already planned for the upgrading and that it was one of the projects that had been included in the Sixth National Development Plan.
Meanwhile, Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka has said the mobile hospitals would be beneficial to the people in his chiefdom.
He said in an interview at his palace yesterday that the decision by the Government to procure the mobile hospitals would greatly benefit Zambians, especially those in rural areas.
“Clinics and health centres are distantly placed and therefore these mobile hospitals are very good. For us in rural areas we are happy because this is something that will benefit us,” he said.
Marvin Mwiinga, a peasant farmer in Chief Mwanachingwala’s area said the concept of mobile hospitals was good and welcome.
“We have to walk long distances just to get health care but now we hear these hospitals will be coming to our villages, which is a good thing for us.
“People have been dying before getting to a clinic and we believe that with these mobile hospitals it will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Juliet Mainga of Magoye said the Government had done well to consider the people in rural areas by procuring the mobile hospitals.
[ Times of Zambia ]
